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WHEN  DEWEY  CAME  TO  MANILA; 

OR,  AMONG  THE   FILIPINOS. 


WHEN  DEWEY  CAME  TO  MANILA 


OR 


AMONG  THE  FILIPINOS 


BY 


JAMES    OTIS 

AUTHOR  OF  "JENNY  WREN'S  BOARDING-HOUSE,"  "JERRY'S  FAMILY 
"THE  BOYS'  REVOLT,"  "THE  BOYS  OF  1745,"  ETC. 


Ullustratrti 


BOSTON 

DANA    ESTES    &    COMPANY 
1899 


Copyright,  1899 
BY  DANA  ESTES  &  COMPANY 


Colonial  ^rraa : 

Electrotyped  and  Printed  by  C.  H.  Simonds  &  Co. 
Boston,  Mass.,  U.  S.  A. 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER  PAGH 

I.     Ox  THE  BANCAS 1 1 

II.     WITH  THE  INSURGENTS .28 

III.  A  NAVAL  BATTLE  . 46 

IV.  IN  CAVITE 69 

V.  THE  PETREL                                                                               88 


M173179 


LIST   OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


THE  OLD  WALL  OF  MANILA  •       H 

VIEWING  THE  REINA  CHRISTINA    .  .21 

NATIVES  ...  •  •  •       26 

"  THERE  WERE  NOT  LESS  THAN  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  "       31 

PANDA      .  •  -37 

WATCHING  THE  BATTLE  .  -47 

THE  OLYMPIA  IN  ACTION 

THE  BURNING  OF  THE  CASTILLA  . 

-  THE  FILIPINOS  WERE  LITERALLY  WILD  WITH  DELIGHT"  .       61 

'"THE  AMERICANS  AND  FILIPINOS  ARE  BROTHERS" 

"THE  BALTIMORE  STEAMS  PAST" 

"FOUR  EVIL-LOOKING  FELLOWS" 

RAY  AND  THE  MALAY    . 

SACKING  THE  HOUSES  AT  CAVITE 

THE   MALAY  KNIFE  COMES  THROUGH  THE  SHELL   PANE  IN 

THE  WINDOW          .  99 

THE  DEFENCE  OF  THE  STONE  HOUSE 103 


WHEN    DEWEY   CAME   TO   MANILA; 

OR,    AMONG   THE    FILIPINOS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

ON     THE     BANCAS. 

T)ANDA,  Raymond,  and  I  had  arranged  for  an  excur- 
•*"  sion,  on  a  fisherman's  banca,  from  Manila  to  Cavite, 
and,  without  any  very  considerable  coaxing,  succeeded  in 
getting  our  parents'  permission  for  the  pleasure  trip. 

So  far  as  this  permission  is  concerned,  I  speak  only  of 
Raymond  and  myself. 

Panda  was  the  son  of  our  cook,  a  Filipino,  although  she 
looked  more  like  a  Chinese  woman  than  a  true  native  of 
the  island. 

Perhaps  it  would  be  better  to  explain  first,  before  be 
ginning  the  story  of  what  happened  to  us  at  Cavite  during 
the  last  of  April  and  the  first  of  May,  in  the  year  1898, 
how  Ray  and  I,  two  Yankee  lads  from  Boston,  chanced  to 
be  in  the  Philippines  on  that  day  when  the  fleet  carrying 
the  stars  and  stripes  sailed  past  Corregidor,  and  destroyed 
the  Spanish  ships. 


12  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

Ray  and  I  are  brothers  ;  our  father's  name  is  Joseph 
Hyde,  and  he  is  the  representative  of  a  firm  of  Boston 
merchants  who  deal  in  hemp.  With  our  mother,  we  two 
lads  came  to  Manila  one  year  ago,  having  travelled  from 
Boston  to  San  Francisco  by  railroad,  and  from  there  to 
the  Philippines  on  steamers  by  the  way  of  Hong  Kong. 

When  Ray  and  I  left  home  it  was  decided  that  we  had 
as  good  a  right  to  put  into  print  an  account  of  our  visit  to 
the  islands  discovered  by  Magellan,  as  any  grown  man 
who  travels  abroad  for  two  or  three  months,  and  then  sets 
himself  down  at  home  to  write  concerning  what  he  saw. 

We  were  very  certain  that  every  boy  in  Massachusetts, 
or  any  other  State  in  the  Union  for  that  matter,  would  be 
pleased  to  know  what  two  Yankee  lads  saw  when  they 
visited  that  archipelago,  which,  to  our  minds  at  least,  was 
made  up  in  equal  parts  of  pirates  and  gold. 

We  had  read  wonderful  stories  of  adventure  met  with 
in  that  group  of  islands  which  seemed  to  be  situated 
almost  in  another  world,  and  doubted  not  but  that  we 
would  have  full  share  in  many  startling  happenings  during 
the  two  years  it  was  our  father's  purpose  we  should 
remain  with  him. 

Therefore  it  was  that  both  of  us  kept  a  journal  of  our 
travels,  setting  down  everything  we  saw  which  was  strange 
to  us  of  Massachusetts,  and  believing  that,  when  the  time 
for  our  stay  in  Manila  was  come  to  an  end,  we  should 
have  written  such  a  tale  as  would  be  in  every  way  enter 
taining  to  lads  of  our  own  age,  —  Ray  is  fourteen  and  I 
am  nearly  sixteen. 


ON    THE   BANG  AS.  13 

To  our  idea  the  most  important  article  in  the  "  outfit 
ting  "  was  the  mass  of  paper  and  dozens  of  pencils  which 
we  purchased  for  the  purpose  of  writing  the  story,  and 
nearly  every  day  during  that  wearisome  journey  on  the 
Pacific  Express  did  we  set  down  one  or  more  items  which 
appealed  to  us  as  being  worthy  a  place  in  the  wonderful 
tale  we  were  to  relate. 

Then,  once  on  board  the  steamer  China,  bound  for  Hong 
Kong,  we  filled  the  pages  rapidly,  for  there  was  much  of 
interest  in  the  sea  voyage. 

At  the  Sandwich  Islands  we  wrote  no  less  than  two 
chapters,  and  in  Hong  Kong  it  seemed  to  us  as  if  we 
must  bring  the  story  to  an  end  because  there  was  so  much 
to  tell  regarding  the  strange  people  and  the  odd  things 
we  saw. 

After  remaining  ashore  four  days  we  embarked  on  the 
seven-hundred-mile  voyage  to  Manila,  and  a  disagreeable 
motion  of  the  steamer,  so  different  from  what  we  had 
experienced  while  aboard  the  CJiina,  prevented  us  from 
continuing  an  account  of  our  travels  until  after  we  entered 
the  Boca  Chica  channel  at  the  entrance  to  Manila  Bay, 
steamed  past  Corregidor  Island,  and  knew  that  we  were 
within  the  limits  of  Luzon. 

At  the  end  of  this  long  journey,  during  which  we  had 
travelled  nearly  half  around  the  world,  we  were  met  by  our 
father,  whom  we  had  not  seen  for  three  years,  and  twenty- 
four  hours  were  spent  with  him  before  we  began  to  look 
about  Manila. 

Here  was  to  be  the  end  of  the  story  which  we  proposed 


WHEN' DEWEY  CAME    TO  MANILA. 


to  send  home  to  the  Massachusetts  lads,  firmly  believing 
that  by  such  means  we  should  make  ourselves  well  and 
agreeably  known  to  those  whom  we  might  never  meet. 

We  described  Manila  Bay  as  it  appeared  to  us  on  the 
afternoon  we  entered  ;  told  of  the  queer  little  custom 
house  on  the  quay  ;  of  the  odd-looking  oxen,  the  goats, 

and  the  Span 
ish  officers  who 
were  to  be  seen 
everywhere. 

We  walked 
about  old  Man 
ila,  as  a  portion 
of  the  city  is 
called,  looking  at 
the  wall  which 
hems  it  in,  and 
set  forth  what  I 
considered  very  interesting  descriptions  of  the  peculiar 
houses,  the  funny  beds,  and  everything  that  met  our  gaze, 
for  nowhere  in  our  progress  did  we  see  familiar  objects. 

To  wear  suits  of  white  cotton  cloth  such  as  our  father 
ordered  for  us  from  the  native  tailor  was  in  itself  worthy, 
as  Ray  said,  a  full  page,  and  that  building  situated  on  the 
banks  of  the  Pasig  River,  which  was  to  be  our  home  while 
we  remained  in  the  Philippines,  needed  many  words  to 
describe  it  properly. 

Fancy  a  stove  for  cooking  which  is  only  an  earthen 
jar,  a  dozen  being  necessary  for  the  cook  who  counts  on 


ON   THE    BANG  AS.  15 

preparing  an  ordinary  meal,  or  windows  in  which  are  sea 
shells  instead  of  glass  ;  buildings  that  are  no  more  than 
two  stories  high,  built  low  because  of  possible  earth 
quakes,  and  queer-looking  Filipinos, — men  who  are  more 
often  seen  with  game-cocks  under  their  arms  than  books  ; 
barbers  who  carry  their  chairs  with  them,  and  ply  their 
trade  on  the  streets. 

It  seems  a  cruel  waste  of  labour  and  good  material  for 
a  story,  to  throw  aside  all  Ray  and  I  had  written  regard 
ing  what  we  saw  ;  but  because  of  that  which  came  to  us 
when  the  American  fleet  entered  the  bay  to  give  the 
Spaniards  such  a  lesson  as  was  needed,  it  is  necessary,  in 
order  to  make  room  for  that  which  befell  us  when,  with 
Panda,  the  Filipino  lad,  who,  as  I  have  said,  was  the  son 
of  our  cook,  we  set  out  on  what  was  intended  to  be  a 
pleasure  excursion  to  Cavite. 

Of  course,  since  the  war  broke  out,  if  not  before,  every 
American  boy  knows  that  Cavite  was  the  Spanish  naval 
station  in  Manila  Bay,  and  that  the  city  is  the  capital  of 
the  province  known  by  that  same  name. 

There  is  a  town,  a  bay,  and  a  peninsula,  all  of  which 
are  called  Cavite  ;  but  before  visiting  the  place  Ray  and 
I  believed  it  was  simply  a  naval  station,  because  those  in 
Manila  whose  language  we  could  understand  referred  to 
it  as  if  there  were  nothing  else  of  importance  to  be  found 
there. 

Now  Panda  had  a  brother  who  was  a  fisherman,  and 
who  sailed  on  a  boat  such  as  would  attract  no  little  atten 
tion  in  Boston  Harbour.  It  was  a  long,  wooden  canoe, 


1 6  WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 

and  the  Filipinos  call  such  craft  "bancas."  It  had  two 
masts  with  sails  made  of  lateen  stiffened  by  bamboo  ribs, 
and  a  lateen  sail  looks  very  much  like  such  a  window  cur 
tain  as  I  have  seen  in  my  great-grandfather's  home  near- 
about  Gloucester,  formed  of  thin,  narrow  strips  of  what 
appears  to  be  wood. 

Two  of  these  boats  work  in  company,  and  are  fastened 
together  with  strips  of  bamboo,  which  hold  them  ten  or 
twelve  feet  apart,  while  made  fast  to  the  stern  of  each 
craft  is  a  scoop-net.  It  is  only  a  question  of  sailing  here 
and  there  wherever  the  fish  are  supposed  to  be  found 
near  the  surface,  and  dipping  up  such  as  are  not  fright 
ened  away  by  the  approach  of  the  canoes.  Not  very 
exciting  sport  ;  but  Ray  and  I  were  certain  we  should 
find  some  amusement  in  it,  when  Panda,  who,  luckily  for 
us,  could  speak  English  because  of  having  been  employed 
by  my  father  during  such  time  as  he  had  lived  in  Manila, 
explained  that  we  would  run  down  as  far  as  Cavite,  stay 
ing  there  all  day,  perhaps,  and  returning  during  the 
evening. 

We  knew  on  leaving  Hong  Kong  that  war  was  about 
to  be  declared  between  the  United  States  and  Spain  ;  yet 
it  did  not  seem  reasonable  that  in  these  far-off  islands  we 
would  see  any  fighting,  and  it  is  certain  that  our  father 
had  little  idea  we  might  be  so  decidedly  mixed  up  with 
the  conflict  between  the  two  nations  as  to  be  in  great 
danger  of  our  lives. 

Of  the  queer-looking  and  queer-tasting  food  which  we 
took  with  us,  or  of  the  odd  contrivances  for  fishing  which 


ON   THE   BANG  AS.  I/ 

we  found  on  board  the  bancas,  there  is  no  opportunity  to 
speak,  for  I  would  come  to  the  end  of  our  adventures  in 
the  number  of  pages  which  Ray  has  insisted  shall  make 
up  the  story. 

If  it  so  be  that  some  gentleman  sees  fit  to  publish  it, 
the  lad  who  reads  what  I  have  set  down  must  imagine,  by 
aid  of  such  books  as  can  be  borrowed  from  the  Public 
Library,  what  sort  of  an  appearance  we  made  on  that 
morning,  the  last  day  of  April,  when  we  embarked  on 
an  excursion  which  promised  a  little  something  in  the 
way  of  novelty,  and  introduced  us  to  more  actual  danger 
than  we  are  ever  likely  to  see  again  in  the  same  number 
of  hours,  no  matter  how  long  it  may  be  permitted  us  to 
live. 

So  far  as  concerned  the  fishing,  it  was  neither  more 
nor  less  than  might  have  been  seen  in  any  portion  of  the 
world  where  a  net  is  dragged  through  the  water  with  the 
chance  of  capturing  such  fish  as  are  near  the  surface; 
not  exciting  sport,  nor  calculated  to  give  one  a  desire  for 
more  of  the  same  kind. 

Ray  and  I  lay  idly  on  our  backs  upon  the  bench-like 
seat  in  the  stern  of  the  banca  owned  by  Panda's  brother, 
gazing  curiously  at  the  shore,  for  to  us  there  was  much 
of  interest  even  in  the  conformation  of  that  bay  wherein 
so  many  stirring  actions  had  occurred ;  but  Panda  ran 
to  and  fro  something  after  the  manner  of  an  excited 
monkey,  jabbering  in  his  own  language  with  the  crew, 
as  if  this  skimming  the  top  of  the  water  with  a  net  was 
a  very  heroic  deed. 


1 8  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

Ray,  forgetting  that  we  were  for  the  time  supposed  to 
be  fishermen,  recalled  to  my  mind  the  fact  that  this  archi 
pelago  of  the  Philippines  was  discovered  by  Magellan  on 
the  twelfth  day  of  March,  in  the  year  1521,  and  by  him 
named  the  St.  Lazarus  Islands.  He  referred  to  the 
severe  earthquakes  of  1874  and  1880,  when,  in  the  last 
named  year,  the  destruction  of  property  and  life  in  the 
island  of  Luzon  was  fearful. 

Having  in  view  the  story  of  our  travels,  which  was 
nearly  completed,  he  read  from  a  printed  slip  which  we 
brought  with  us  from  Boston  the  following  facts  that  had 
been  constantly  in  my  mind  for  the  past  three  months, 
and  may  as  well  be  set  down  here  in  condensed  form  for 
the  benefit  of  those  lads  who  are  given  to  indolence  in 
matters  of  geography. 

"  There  are  thirty-one  islands  of  considerable  size  in 
the  Philippine  group,  with  eight  ports  open  to  commerce. 
The  population  is  about  eight  millions,  of  which  more  than 
three  millions  are  in  the  island  of  Luzon,  the  largest  of 
the  archipelago,  having  an  area  of  40,885  square  miles. 
Manila,  the  principal  city,  had  as  population  in  1880  in 
the  walled  town  12,000,  and  in  the  suburbs  from  250,000 
to  300,000. 

"The  city  was  founded  in  1571,  and  is  situated  on  the 
eastern  shore  of  a  circular  bay  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  in  circumference. 

"  Manila  was  captured  from  the  Spaniards  by  the  Eng 
lish  in  1762,  the  assaulting  forces  being  led  by  General 
William  Draper,  with  Admiral  Cornish  commanding  the 


ON   THE   BAN  CAS.  19 

naval  division.  On  the  twenty-fourth  of  September  the 
troops  were  disembarked  just  south  of  the  city,  and 
the  siege  continued  until  the  sixth  of  October,  when 
a  breach  was  effected  in  the  Spanish  works,  and  the 
town  carried  by  storm.  After  the  surrender  the  Spanish 
officials  agreed  to  pay  as  a  ransom  for  the  city  two  mil 
lions  of  dollars  in  gold,  and  the  same  amount  of  money 
in  bills  on  the  Treasury  at  Madrid." 

As  if  considering  it  necessary  to  read  all  the  informa 
tion  we  had  gathered  concerning  these  islands  of  the 
Philippines,  Ray  went  further  into  the  history  of  the  group 
from  his  store  of  clippings,  and  read  of  what  had  taken 
place  in  this  same  bay  of  Manila  from  the  year  1571, 
when  the  island  of  Luzon  was  reduced  to  subjection  by 
General  Legazpi. 

He  read  of  ten  attacks  which  were  made  within  less 
than  four  years  thereafter  by  the  Chinese,  when  the  battles 
lasted  several  days  ;  of  the  massacre  of  Chinese  in  1603, 
when  23,000  were  murdered,  and  also  that  of  1629,  when 
no  less  than  35,000  were  killed  in  cold  blood,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  many  attacks  that  were  afterward  made, 
when  hundreds  of  the  so-called  foreigners  were  put  to 
death. 

Then  came  the  story  of  the  latest  insurrections  in  the 
Philippines,  beginning  with  that  headed  by  Dr.  Jose  Rizal, 
and  ending  with  the  one  in  progress  at  this  day,  when  we 
knew,  although  it  seemed  like  something  occurring  afar 
off,  that  Emilio  Aguinaldo,  with  a  following  of  natives, 
threatened  Manila. 


2O  WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 

This  last  fact,  however,  gave  Ray  and  me  no  more  dis 
quietude  than  it  did  Panda,  for  it  was  not  believed  the 
insurgents  would  be  able  to  make  much  headway  against 
the  Spaniards,  unless  by  chance  the  American  forces 
should  come  to  this  portion  of  the  world,  and  whatever 
others  may  have  thought,  we  two  lads  were  quite  certain 
the  Philippines  were  too  far  from  the  United  States  for 
such  an  event  to  be  probable. 

How  much  more  of  descriptive  matter  with  which  we 
were  already  familiar  Ray  might  have  read,  I  cannot  say ; 
but  he  was  in  the  humour  to  continue,  as  if  wishing  to 
refresh  his  own  memory,  and  would  have  gone  on  at  this 
work  for  some  time  had  we  not  just  then  arrived  within 
a  respectful  distance  of  the  Spanish  fleet. 

Since  leaving  San  Francisco  we  had  seen  many  naval 
vessels,  but  never  at  so  short  a  range  ;  and  it  pleased  me 
when  the  fishermen  brought  the  bancas  around  in  order 
to  empty  their  nets,  with  the  hope  that  they  might  be 
able  to  sell  some  of  the  catch. 

Ray  spelled  the  names  for  me  to  write  down,  and  very 
glad  indeed  did  I  feel  at  that  moment  because  this  for 
midable  array  of  war-ships  was  not  where  they  could  make 
an  attack  upon  our  people. 

There  was  the  Reina  Maria  Christina,  the  Castilla, 
Vclasco,  Don  Antonio  de  Ulloa,  Don  Juan  de  Austria,  and 
such  small  craft  as  the  General  Lezo,  El  Correo,  Marques 
del  Duero,  Is  la  de  Cuba,  and  Isla  de  Luzon. 

Whether  the  fishermen  had  a  successful  catch  or  not 
it  is  impossible  to  say,  for  by  the  time  I  had  gotten  these 


ON   THE   BANG  AS.  2$ 

Spanish  names  written  down  we  were  considerably  beyond 
the  fleet,  and  now  all  the  conversation  turned  to  warfare, 
Panda  joining  us  that  he  might  describe  in  his  peculiar 
fashion  what  the  insurgent  Aguinaldo  had  done,  and  what 
it  was  believed  he  yet  would  do,  but  to  that  I  gave  little 
heed. 

Surely  those  who  had  arisen  against  Spain  would  not  be 
able  to  do  much  mischief  roundabout  Manila  while  so 
large  a  fleet  lay  anchored  between  that  city  and  Cavite, 
and  I  put  an  end  to  Panda's  boasting  by  declaring,  as  if 
I  knew  all  the  particulars,  that  "  until  the  American  peo- 
had  given  the  Spaniards  a  much  needed  lesson,  there 
was  little  chance  any  insurrection  on  the  island  would 
make  very  great  progress." 

"  You  do  not  know  my  people,"  Panda  said,  vehemently, 
and  then  for  the  first  time  I  began  to  feel  just  a  trifle 
uneasy  in  mind. 

The  boy  had  said  that  Aguinaldo's  force  was  even  then 
within  a  short  distance  of  Cavite,  and  might  it  not  be 
possible  that  we  should  find  ourselves  between  the  fire  of 
this  Spanish  fleet  and  the  insurgents'  guns  ? 

I  said  as  much  as  this  to  Ray,  for  Panda,  having 
exhausted  his  predictions  and  his  threats  against  the 
Spaniards,  went  forward  to  see  the  fish  that  had  been 
taken  from  the  nets. 

"  It  is  not  probable  these  half-naked  people  will  be  so 
venturesome  as  to  make  an  attack  anywhere  in  this  bay 
while  it  is  so  well  fortified,"  Ray  replied,  laughingly. 
"  Look  at  the  forts  there  at  Cavite,  and  then  at  the 


24  WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 

batteries  around  Manila.  If  that  isn't  enough  to  set 
your  fears  at  rest,  remember  that  both  the  islands  of 
Corregidor  and  Caballo,  at  the  entrance  to  the  bay,  are 
fortified,  to  say  nothing  of  that  point  yonder.  Why, 
Ernest  Hyde,  there  is  no  ordinary  fleet  of  vessels  that 
would  dare  to  enter  such  a  body  of  water  as  this,  where 
are  planted  submarine  mines,  as  father  has  said,  and  yet 
you  talk  about  Aguinaldo's  beggarly  army,  as  if  believing 
he  would  dare  make  a  venture  that  could  end  only  in 
defeat,  however  many  there  might  be  who  follow  him." 

All  this  seemed  reasonable,  and  I  put  from  my  mind 
the  faint  forebodings  of  the  future,  which  had  come  at  a 
time  when  we  seemed  most  secure,  to  enjoy  the  scene 
around  me. 

I  had  almost  forgotten  there  were  any  insurgents  on 
the  island  of  Luzon,  when  finally  we  were  come  to  the 
landing-place  at  the  suburbs  of  Cavite,  and  immediately 
our  bancas  were  surrounded  by  a  crowd  of  natives  who 
talked  loudly,  indulging  in  many  gestures  which  seemed 
to  me  threatening,  meanwhile  looking  at  Ray  and  me 
from  time  to  time  in  a  manner  by  no  means  agreeable. 

It  is  all  very  well  for  a  fellow  to  declare  that  he  is 
brave,  but  put  him  where  Ray  and  I  were  at  that  moment, 
with  none  but  natives  near  at  hand  ;  then  surround  him 
with  two  hundred  or  more  disagreeable-looking  fellows 
who  appeared  on  the  point  of  making  an  attack  upon  him, 
and  I  venture  to  say  he  will  feel  quite  as  uncomfortable 
in  mind,  however  much  he  prides  himself  upon  his  bravery, 
as  did  my  brother  and  myself. 


ON   THE   BANG  AS,  25 

Having  once  given  Ray  an  opportunity  to  laugh  at  me 
because  of  my  fears,  I  tried  hard  to  hold  my  tongue  while 
we  remained  here  on  the  shore,  unable  to  move  in  either 
direction  because  of  the  half-naked  throng  which  entirely 
surrounded  us,  and  it  was  absolutely  a  relief,  oddly  as 
that  statement  may  sound,  when  my  brother  displayed 
signs  of  fear. 

"  If  this  is  the  sort  of  company  we  are  likely  to  have, 
it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  find  passage  back  to  Manila  in 
some  of  the  steamers  which  father  has  said  run  to  and 
fro,  for  I  have  no  desire  to  spend  a  day  with  such  com 
panions  as  these." 

"  Let  us  ask  Panda  to  lead  us  at  once  to  his  brother's 
house,"  I  said,  for  it  was  understood  when  we  left  home 
that  we  should  find  cleanly  and  comfortable  quarters  less 
than  a  mile  outside  the  city,  with  the  cook's  son,  but 
Panda  was  too  busily  engaged  with  these  newly  met 
acquaintances  to  pay  much  attention  to  us  until  we 
had  called  his  name  loudly  several  times,  when  he 
came  up  with  the  air  of  one  who  is  vexed  at  being  dis 
turbed. 

"  Why  have  all  these  men  come  here  to  meet  us?"  I 
asked,  perhaps  a  trifle  roughly,  because,  as  I  have  said, 
there  was  considerable  disquietude  in  my  mind. 

He  seemingly  gave  no  heed  to  my  roughness  of  speech  ; 
but  answered  curtly,  almost  insolently,  as  I  fancied  : 

"  Does  it  seem  strange  to  American  boys  that  a  poor 
Filipino  should  be  glad  to  meet  his  relations  ? " 

"Are  all  these  relatives  of  yours?"  Ray  asked,  with 


26 


WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 


a  laugh,  and  it  was  not  a  pleasant  expression  which  came 
over  Panda's  face  as  he  replied  : 

"  We  are  all  of  the  same  blood,  and  those  who  are  op 
pressed  by  the  Spaniards  are  drawn  more  closely  together, 
perhaps,  than  people  who  live  in  a  free  country." 

Surely  Panda  had  never  talked  about  oppression,  or  had 
very  much  to  say  regarding  the  insurgents,  until  the 
moment  when  we  were  come  within  hail  of  the  Spanish 

fleet ;  but  now 
it  was  as  if  he 
had  suddenly 
learned  of  the 
wrongs  done  his 
people,  and  was 
minded  to 
avenge  them. 
At  least  that 
was  the  way  I 
read  the  decided  change  in  his  demeanour,  and  it  was  by 
no  means  pleasant  to  find  ourselves  thus  mixed  up  in  what 
•might  cause  our  father  trouble  with  the  Spanish  officials 
if  it  should  be  made  known. 

"  You  shall  show  us  where  we  can  find  conveyance 
back  to  the  city,"  I  said,  decidedly.  "Ray  and  I  have 
concluded  it  will  be  better  to  stay  at  home,  than  here 
among  people  who  do  not  seem  friendly  disposed." 

"They  are  the  same  as  your  brothers,"  Panda  replied, 
now  laying  aside  somewhat  of  his  insolence.  "  Surely  an 
American  should  be  a  welcome  visitor,  for  it  is  that 


ON    THE   BANCAS.  2/ 

country  which  we  believe  will  free  us  from  Spanish 
rule." 

"  If  this  is  the  way  of  showing  friendliness,  I  wonder  to 
what  lengths  they  might  go  in  case  of  meeting  with  an 
enemy,"  Ray  added,  with  a  laugh,  and  I  understood  that 
he  was  beginning  to  grow  more  comfortable  in  mind. 

"The  day  may  come  when  you  shall  see  that,"  Panda 
said,  with  an  ominous  shake  of  the  head,  and  I  interrupted 
him  by  insisting  that  he  lead  us  to  where  we  might  find 
a  steamer  on  which  we  could  take  passage  back  to  Manila. 

"  You  must  go  to  my  brother's  house,"  he  replied, 
much  as  if  we  were  under  his  command.  "  I  have  told 
these  good  friends  that  the  Americans  will  thus  honour 
us,  and  you  cannot  well  force  me  to  break  my  word." 

Whether  he  gave  a  signal  to  the  throng  around  us,  or 
they,  understanding  somewhat  of  the  conversation,  acted 
upon  an  impulse,  I  cannot  say  ;  but  certain  it  is  that 
Panda  had  no  sooner  spoken  than  we  were  surrounded  in 
such  manner  that  escape  would  have  been  impossible, 
and  immediately  every  man,  Ray  and  I  in  the  centre  of 
the  crowd,  moved  away  from  the  shore  toward  what 
appeared  to  be  a  suburb  of  the  town. 


CHAPTER    II. 

WITH    THE    INSURGENTS. 

TT   seemed   ridiculous   to   suppose  for  a  single  instant 

A   that  we  were  prisoners,  and  yet  it  amounted  to  very 

much  the  same  thing,  since  we  were  literally  forced  to  go 

whithersoever  these  excited  friends  of   Panda's  chose  to 

direct  their  steps. 

I  was  not  disposed  to  let  Ray  know  all  that  was  in  my 
mind,  fearing  lest  he  would  laugh  at  me  for  being  a 
coward  ;  but  I  glanced  at  him  now  and  then  as  we  were 
forced  through  the  outskirts  of  the  town  toward  the 
country  beyond,  until  coming  to  understand  that  he  was 
by  no  means  pleased  with  the  general  situation  of  affairs. 

Then  I  said  in  what  I  intended  should  be  a  careless 
tone  : 

"  These  people  of  Cavite  are  disposed  to  be  very 
friendly." 

"  I  wish  I  could  think  they  had  no  other  feeling 
toward  us,  Ernest,  for  just  now  it  seems  much  as  if  we 
had  been  captured." 

"  One  might  think  that  but  for  such  an  idea  being 
ridiculous,"  I  said,  sharply,  hoping  to  convince  myself  in 
persuading  him  that  there  was  no  danger  in  the  situation. 

28 


WITH   THE   INSURGENTS.  29 

"  Why  should  the  Filipinos,  and  particularly  friends  of 
Panda,  have  any  care  concerning  us  ?  " 

"  That  is  a  question  which  I  cannot  answer,  but  would 
give  much  to  know  exactly  why  they  are  so  careful 
regarding  our  welfare.  Do  you  think  it  would  be  of 
any  avail  if  we  should  make  stout  resistance  just  now?" 

I  glanced  quickly  around  us.  At  the  lowest  estimate 
there  were  not  less  than  a  hundred  and  fifty  who  thus 
forced  us  along  at  a  pace  so  rapid  that  at  times  we  were 
obliged  to  break  into  a  run  lest  we  be  overthrown. 

It  would  be  folly  to  think  of  making  a  stand  against 
them,  unless  it  so  chanced  they  really  were  in  a  friendly 
mood,  and  in  such  case  I  had  no  desire  to  make  myself 
ridiculous  even  in  the  eyes  of  a  Filipino. 

Ray  read  what  was  in  my  mind,  and  the  knowledge  of 
our  helplessness  aroused  him  to  anger. 

"  I  will  soon  know  what  they  mean  !  Panda  shall  make 
some  kind  of  an  explanation,  if  it  so  be  he  can  !  " 

Then  he  raised  his  voice,  calling  upon  the  lad  by  name, 
and  those  nearest  began  gesticulating  wildly,  pointing 
repeatedly  toward  Corregido  -  Island,  much  as  if  to  say 
that  he  who  brought  us  into  this  snarl  had  gone  in  that 
direction. 

Now  for  the  first  time  I  realised  that  we  were  indeed 
alone  with  these  natives  to  whom  the  shedding  of  white 
men's  blood  is  no  real  crime,  and,  despite  all  efforts  to 
the  contrary,  my  courage  oozed  away  until  I  was  thor 
oughly  alarmed. 

During  all  this  time  we  had  been  proceeding,  as  I  have 


30  WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 

said,  at  a  rapid  pace  toward  the  country  immediately 
behind  Cavite,  and  were  now  well  beyond  the  town. 

Ray,  no  less  disturbed  than  I,  began  to  look  about  for 
something  in  the  situation  which  might  appear  less  dark ; 
but  his  speculations  were  not  well  calculated  to  relieve  my 
anxiety  of  mind. 

"  If  there  had  been  any  danger  in  our  coming  here  with 
Panda,  father  would  have  known  it,  and  put  a  stop  to  the 
excursion  when  it  was  first  mentioned ;  but  yet,  if  every 
thing  is  as  it  should  be,  why  have  that  miserable  little  Fili 
pino  and  his  brother  suddenly  disappeared  ?  Why  has  this 
crowd  of  villainous-looking  natives  brought  us  away  when 
it  must  have  been  known  we  counted  on  going  back  to 
Manila  ? " 

As  a  matter  of  course  I  could  not  answer  these  ques 
tions.  For  a  moment  came  the  thought  that  I  would 
force  the  affair  to  an  issue  by  refusing  to  go  a  single  step 
farther. 

Then,  when  I  made  as  if  to  halt,  those  in  the  rear 
pushed  me  forward  roughly,  and  yet  with  every  indication 
of  mirth. 

It  was  a  singular  situation,  to  say  the  least,  and  would 
have  puzzled  many  an  older  and  brighter  lad  than  my 
self. 

If  the  excursion  had  been  arranged  several  days  in 
advance,  it  might  seem  as  if  this  were  a  scheme  to  take 
us  prisoners  for  some  especial  purpose.  Perhaps  that  we 
might  be  held  for  ransom,  or  to  force  our  father,  one  of 
the  leading  American  residents  in  Manila,  to  use  his 


WITH    THE   INSURGENTS.  33 

influence  in  favour  of  Aguinaldo's  plans.  But  from  the 
moment  we  had  decided  to  go,  until  embarking  on 
the  banca,  Panda  had  not  so  much  as  left  our  dwelling. 

Puzzle  over  it  as  we  might,  the  only  certainty  about  the 
situation  was  that  we  must,  for  the  time  being,  do  whatso 
ever  those  who  virtually  held  us  prisoners  commanded,  for 
we  had  seen  no  white  man  to  whom  an  appeal  could  be 
made,  and  even  though  we  met  one  it  was  doubtful  if,  in 
case  this  throng  of  Filipinos  permitted  an  interview,  we 
should  be  able  to  make  ourselves  understood,  because 
neither  Ray  nor  I  spoke  Spanish. 

As  we  advanced  more  slowly  now  that  we  were  clear  of 
the  town,  men  left  the  throng  to  run  hurriedly  back,  while 
others  joined  us  with  what  was  evidently  important  and 
pleasing  information.  Their  movements  reminded  me  of 
a  swarm  of  bees,  and  the  sound  of  their  conversation  was 
not  unlike  the  buzzing  of  these  insects  when  they  set  out 
in  search  of  a  new  home. 

During  fully  half  an  hour  we  were  urged  forward,  and 
then  the  party  had  arrived  at  the  bank  of  a  small,  swiftly 
running  brook,  on  either  side  of  which  could  be  seen  crops 
of  hemp  or  groves  of  cocoa  palms,  while  directly  in  front 
one  might  look  through  the  narrow  pathway  of  green  cut 
in  the  foliage,  until  he  saw  the  mountains  beyond. 

A  short  distance  from  where  we  had  halted  were 
several  dwellings  with  thatches  of  nipa  palm  ;  but  for 
the  time  being  these  appeared  to  have  no  occupants,  and 
none  of  our  captors  made  any  attempt  at  entering  them. 

The  Filipinos  squatted  down  by  the  side  of  the  brook, 


34  WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 

still  talking  loudly  and  without  paying  any  apparent  atten 
tion  to  us  ;  but  I  was  quick  to  note  the  fact  that  we 
were  surrounded,  although  not  quite  so  closely  as  when 
we  were  forced  to  make  the  journey  from  the  shore. 

The  men  fell  back  with  a  sort  of  respectful  manner, 
leaving  us  comparatively  alone ;  but  they  took  good  care 
to  form  a  circle  completely  around  us,  so  that  any  attempt 
at  escape  —  I  use  the  word  because  in  my  mind  there  was 
no  question  but  that  we  were  prisoners — would  have  been 
absolutely  in  vain. 

In  view  of  the  wonderful  things  we  saw  shortly  after 
ward,  and  the  many  dangers  which  beset  us,  the  time 
spent  here  amid  the  Filipinos  seems  now  to  be  but  a 
trifling  matter,  but  yet  at  the  moment  it  appeared  most 
serious. 

Therefore  it  is  that  I  will  say  no  more  concerning  our 
fears  and  forebodings,  nor  set  down  that  which  we  said 
one  to  another,  for  both  of  us  believed  our  lives  were  in 
peril. 

We  finally  solved  the  matter  in  our  own  minds,  and 
then  came  a  decided  sense  of  relief  at  being  able,  as  we 
believed,  to  penetrate  the  mystery,  by  deciding  that 
we  were  really  prisoners,  to  be  held  until  father  could 
effect  our  release  by  ransom,  or  whatsoever  else  it  was  the 
natives  were  eager  to  obtain. 

We  were  given  food  and  fruit  in  plentiful  abundance ;. 
no  one  ventured  to  come  nigh  us,  save  in  order  to  bring 
something  which  we  might  need,  and  thus  did  we  remain 
until  sunset,  when,  to  our  great  surprise  and  yet  greater 


WITH   THE   INSURGENTS.  35 

relief,  Panda  and  his  brother,  in  company  with  half  a  dozen 
others,  came  up. 

Immediately  I  began  to  reproach  the  miserable  Filipino 
lad  for  his  treachery  ;  but  there  was  on  his  mind  some 
thing  of  such  vast  importance  that  he  gave  no  heed  to  the 
angry  words  which  sprang  to  my  lips. 

"  We  must  not  go  back  to  Manila  until  morning, 
and  perhaps  not  then,"  he  said,  excitedly,  while  those 
who  accompanied  him  were  talking  vehemently  to  their 
acquaintances. 

"  Why  do  you  say  that  we  must  not  go  back  ? "  I  cried, 
in  anger.  "  Do  you  believe  it  possible  that  we  can  thus 
be  spirited  away,  and  without  danger  to  yourself  ?  You 
shall  pay  for  this  outrage  with  your  liberty." 

Panda  looked  at  me  in  mute  astonishment,  and  I  knew 
full  well  that  the  expression  on  his  face  could  not  have 
been  assumed. 

"Have  you  been  treated  ill  ? "  he  asked,  solicitously. 

"What  else  can  you  call  it,  when  we  are  thus  held 
prisoners  ? " 

Panda  looked  around  him  as  if  asking  what  might  have 
happened  during  his  absence,  and  Ray,  shaking  him  by  the 
arm,  said,  hotly  : 

"  Do  not  think  to  deceive  us  by  such  a  show  of  igno 
rance!  We  were  forced  to  come  to  this  place,  as  you 
know  full  well,  when  it  was  our  desire  to  go  back  to 
Manila." 

"  But  you  cannot  go  back,  senor,"  the  boy  said,  quite 
innocently.  "  It  is  not  safe  when  the  American  war- 


36  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

vessels  may  sail  into  the  bay  at  any  moment.  Why  not 
remain  here  until  the  fight  is  ended?" 

"What  fight?"  I  asked,  now  thoroughly  bewildered, 
and  after  many  an  attempt  to  hit  upon  the  right  word  to 
express  his  meaning,  Panda  finally  told  a  story  which 
seemed  to  me,  at  the  moment,  to  be  positively  incredible. 

It  would  be  useless  to  make  any  attempt  at  repeating 
it  after  his  fashion,  for  many  times  was  it  necessary  to  go 
over  certain  statements  several  times,  that  we  might  come 
at  the  true  meaning;  but  in  substance,  this  was  the 
marvellous  tale  he  told  : 

Word  had  been  brought  by  some  of  the  insurgents  that 
an  American  fleet  was  rapidly  approaching  Manila  Bay, 
and,  since  war  was  declared  between  Spain  and  the 
United  States,  there  could  be  no  question  as  to  the  pur 
pose  of  these  naval  vessels  in  coming  this  way. 

So  nearly  as  we  could  gather,  this  information  had  been 
kept  a  profound  secret  by  the  Filipinos  lest  the  Spaniards, 
getting  wind  of  the  intended  attack,  should  be  prepared. 
The  insurgents'  great  hope  was  that  the  Americans  would 
win  a  decided  victory,  and  thus  give  them  liberty. 

Panda  had  even  more  important  news  to  tell,  or,  at 
least,  so  it  seemed  to  him,  for  his  people  stoutly  affirmed 
that  no  less  a  person  than  Aguinaldo  himself  would  be 
on  board  one  of  the  vessels  to  pilot  the  fleet  into  the  bay. 

Try  as  we  might,  it  was  impossible  to  get  a  clear  idea 
of  how  this  startling  information  had  been  received.  One 
version  of  his  story  was  that  some  fishermen,  sighting  the 
squadron,  had  paddled  with  all  speed  to  Cavite,  and  there 


WITH   THE   INSURGENTS. 


37 


told  those  who  were  known  to  be  true  to  the  cause  of 
freedom  of  the  great  deliverance  which  was  apparently  at 
hand.  Then  again  he  spoke  of  runners,  coming  over 
land,  who  had  seen  the  vessels  off  Point  Subic,  but 
whether  the  information  had  been  brought  by  one  or  both 
of  these  messengers,  we 
could  not  determine. 

At  all  events,  Panda  was 
certain  that  within  a  very 
few  hours,  perhaps  before 
we  could  return  to  Manila, 
the  American  squadron 
would  enter  the  bay,  and 
now  that  this  explanation 
had  been  made,  we  could 
well  understand  the  ex 
citement  which  prevailed 
among  those  who  had  es 
corted  us  hither. 

After  the  lad  told  the 
news,  I  demanded  to  know  why  his  people  had  made  us' 
prisoners,  and  he  gave  such  explanation  as  seemed  sat 
isfactory,  —  an  explanation  which  I  doubted  not  was  the 
truth. 

With  his  brother  and  four  or  five  others  he  had  been 
sent  along  the  shore  to  warn  the  insurgents,  for  it  seemed 
that  these  humble  fishermen  were  leagued  with  those  who 
would  throw  off  the  yoke  of  Spain,  even  as  we  of  the 
United  States  had  thrown  off  that  of  the  British.  His 


38  WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 

departure  was  necessarily  hurried,  and  he,  thinking  to 
return  within  an  hour,  charged  those  nearest  at  hand  that 
special  care  be  taken  of  Ray  and  myself. 

The  Filipinos,  believing  a  desperate  battle  was  about 
to  be  fought,  perhaps  within  a  very  short  time,  and  know 
ing  that  Cavite,  as  the  naval  station,  would  be  one  of  the 
points  of  attack,  had  simply  sought  safety  in  this  secluded 
retreat,  bringing  us  with  them  apparently  by  force,  because 
of  their  inability  to  explain  why  it  seemed  necessary  we 
should  accompany  them. 

Now,  as  I  have  since  learned,  there  had  been  much  talk 
in  Manila  concerning  the  possibility  that  the  city  might 
be  attacked,  and  my  father  regretted  sorely  having  sent 
for  his  family  ;  but  once  they  were  arrived,  he  kept  all 
such  information  from  them,  believing  there  was  no  good 
reason  why  my  mother  should  be  alarmed  because  of  what 
might  perhaps  be  only  idle  rumour. 

Had  Panda  told  his  story  to  my  father,  it  would  have 
been  believed  at  once  ;  but  to  Ray  and  me,  who  had  heard 
of  the  war  only  in  a  general  way,  and,  being  taken  up  with 
the  novelty  of  the  journey,  had  given  but  little  heed  to  the 
statements,  the  information  given  by  the  Filipino  seemed 
incredible. 

However,  here  we  were  half  an  hour's  tramp  from 
Cavite,  and  the  night  had  already  come. 

Unless  Panda  or  his  brother  could  be  persuaded  to 
return  with  us,  there  seemed  little  chance  we  would  "find 
our  way  back  without  some  mishap,  unable  as  we  were  to 
speak  the  language  of  the  country. 


WITH   THE   INSURGENTS.  39 

From  this  point  of  view,  it  appeared  best  we  should 
remain  quietly  where  we  were  until  morning ;  but,  know 
ing  how  great  must  be  our  parents'  anxiety,  for  it  was 
supposed  we  would  return  before  nightfall,  it  seemed 
absolutely  wicked  for  us  to  thus  delay. 

Both  Ray  and  I  urged  this  upon  the  Filipino  lad,  de 
manding  that  he  go  with  us  as  guide  ;  but  he,  magnifying 
the  dangers,  as  I  believed  then,  stoutly  refused,  declaring 
it  was  necessary  for  our  own  safety  that  we  remain  with 
his  friends,  who,  as  he  said,  would  keep  us  from  all 
harm. 

The  boy's  story  had  been  interrupted  from  time  to  time 
by  those  around  us,  who  appealed  to  him  for  information 
concerning  the  force  at  Manila,  or  regarding  messages  sent 
by  their  insurgent  friends  along  the  shore,  and  thus,  in 
addition  to  the  difficulty  of  understanding  all  he  said,  was 
the  tale  delayed  in  the  telling  fully  two  hours. 

Half  as  much  more  time  was  spent  in  trying  to  persuade 
him  to  go  back  with  us,  and  then  it  was  so  late  that,  even 
had  we  agreed,  we  questioned  whether  transportation 
might  be  readily  procured. 

"  There  is  no  other  way  for  us  than  to  stay  where  we 
are,"  Ray  said,  at  length.  "  It  will  soon  be  daylight,  and 
we'll  get  back  as  best  we  can,  leaving  Panda  and  his 
friends  to  recover  from  the  shock  which  this  news  seems 
to  have  given  them." 

There  was  no  other  conclusion  to  be  arrived  at,  and 
we  strove  to  make  ourselves  as  comfortable  as  possible, 
by  putting  resolutely  from  our  minds  all  thoughts  con- 


4O  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

cerning  the  anxiety  from  which  our  parents  must  be 
suffering  because  of  our  absence. 

After  a  time,  and  while  the  Filipinos  were  discussing 
the  position  of  affairs  as  excitedly  as  ever,  we  two  fell 
asleep,  lying  there  by  the  side  of  the  brook,  and  it  seemed 
as  if  my  eyes  had  but  just  closed  in  slumber  when  we 
were  aroused  by  Panda. 

"  Our  friends  have  decided  that  we  shall  go  back  to 
Cavite,"  he  said,  in  a  matter-of-fact  tone,  as  if  Ray  and  I 
could  have  no  voice  in  the  matter. 

"  If  it  was  so  dangerous  to  remain  there  at  nightfall, 
why  should  you  do  such  a  thing  ? "  I  asked.  "  Has  it 
suddenly  been  discovered  that  the  American  fleet  is  not 
near  the  port  ?  " 

"  There  is  no  thought  of  going  into  the  city,  senor. 
We  will  make  our  way  to  the  high  land  just  beyond,  and 
there  it  will  be  possible  to  see  General  Aguinaldo  when 
he  shows  the  enemies  of  Spain  how  they  may  advance  to 
victory." 

"  You  won't  see  your  general  near  the  American  fleet. 
If  there  is  any  idea  of  going  back  to  Manila,  we'll  start  ; 
otherwise,  I  count  on  finishing  my  nap,"  and  Ray  laid 
himself  down  again  as  if  determined  to  remain  where  he 
was. 

At  these  words  Panda  showed  great  alarm,  and  began 
to  talk  rapidly  in  a  mixture  of  Spanish  and  English,  until 
he  would  have  been  good  at  language  who  could  have 
understood  the  purport  of  his  words. 

Then  Panda's  brother,  hearing  what  must  have  sounded 


WITH   THE   INSURGENTS.  41 

much  like  an  altercation,  came  up  and  added  his  entreaties, 
until  Ray  cried,  petulantly  : 

"  Very  well,  we'll  go  with  you,  for  there's  little  chance 
of  my  falling  asleep  again  after  such  a  row." 

The  remainder  of  the  throng,  and  it  seemed  to  me  that 
the  number  had  been  increased  very  sensibly  since  we 
lay  down  to  sleep,  came  forward  with  a  rush,  forcing 
us  onward  as  they  had  when  we  believed  ourselves 
prisoners. 

At  a  violent  pace  were  we  swept  onward  by  this  living 
tide,  until  finding  ourselves  upon  the  brow  of  a  slight 
elevation,  half  a  mile  or  more  beyond  Cavite,  where  could 
be  had  an  unobstructed  view  of  the  city  and  the  entrance 
to  the  bay. 

Tired  from  much  walking,  and  fretted  by  loss  of  sleep, 
Ray  and  I  decided  that  all  this  excitement,  which  must 
have  occasioned  our  parents  great  anxiety,  had  no  founda 
tion  in  fact.  The  story  of  an  American  fleet  coming  into 
Manila  Bay  had  been  invented  by  some  of  the  insurgents 
to  bolster  up  the  weak-kneed  ones  in  that  city,  and  it  was 
folly  for  us  to  put  any  faith  in  it. 

"  I  am  going  to  lie  down  here,  and  if  you  are  awakened 
when  day  breaks,  rouse  me  ;  we'll  start  for  home  as  soon 
as  there  is  a  hope  of  finding  our  way,"  Ray  said,  as  he 
lay  down  upon  the  ground,  while  the  throng  of  natives 
squatted  here  and  there  in  such  position  as  would  give 
them  the  best  opportunity  for  looking  out  over  the 
waters. 

I  would  have  followed  my  brother's  example,  but  by 


42  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

this  time  all  desire  for  slumber  had  left  my  eyelids,  and 
I  crouched  by  his  side,  involuntarily  looking  seaward, 
although  positive  nothing  of  importance  would  be  seen 
in  that  quarter. 

It  was  when  the  silence  seemed  most  profound  that 
a  great  shout  went  up  from  those  around  me,  and  in  an 
instant  that  hilltop  was  covered  with  dancing,  screaming 
beings,  while  I  gazed  around  in  bewilderment. 

The  noise  awakened  Ray,  and  as  he  leaped  to  his  feet 
in  alarm,  Panda  ran  up,  throwing  his  arms  around  our 
necks  as  he  screamed  incoherent  words,  at  the  same  time 
pointing  seaward. 

Then,  far  away  in  the  distance,  we  saw  tiny  flashes  of 
light  at  brief  intervals,  and  heard  a  faint  rumbling  as  if 
of  thunder. 

"  Can  it  be  possible  that  our  ships  are  really  coming 
into  the  bay  ? "  Ray  asked,  as  soon  as  we  could  shake  off 
Panda  and  stand  face  to  face. 

There  was  no  question  but  that  heavy  guns  were  being 
discharged  far  away  in  the  vicinity  of  Corregidor,  and 
I  believe  the  time  never  passed  so  slowly  to  any  one  as 
it  did  to  us  two  lads,  who  stood  there  on  the  brow  of  the 
hill  amid  that  throng  of  excited  Filipinos,  waiting  for  the 
day  to  break. 

Now  and  then,  when  the  cries  of  the  men  died  away 
for  an  instant,  I  fancied  I  heard  the  thud,  thud  of  a 
steamer's  screw  upon  the  water,  but  yet  not  a  light  could 
be  seen. 

If  an  attack  was  about  to  be  made  on  the  Spaniards, 


WITH   THE   INSURGENTS.  43 

our  people  would  try  to  steal  quietly  into  the  bay,  and 
as  this  thought  came  to  me  I  glanced  toward  the  right, 
down  at  the  quiet  city  of  Cavite. 

Then  it  was  I  understood  that  we  upon  the  hilltop  were 
not  the  only  ones  who  believed  a  fleet  of  war-vessels  was 
advancing  with  deadly  intent. 

The  Rcina  Christina,  on  board  of  which  we  knew  was 
the  Spanish  admiral,  lay  just  off  the  arsenal,  and  astern 
of  her  was  the  Castilla.  This  much  I  remembered  full 
well,  and  now  as  I  looked  at  these  two  vessels  in  particu 
lar,  giving  but  little  heed  to  the  others  which  lay  farther 
outside,  I  saw  lights  flash  here  and  there  along  their 
decks,  sparks  coming  from  their  smoke-stacks,  and  heard 
the  clanking  of  iron  cables  as  if  the  anchors  were  being 

raised. 

There  was  no  longer  any  doubt  in  my  mind  as  to  the 

truth  of  Panda's  story. 

The  Americans  were  come  into  Manila  Bay,  incredible 
though  that  had  seemed,  and  my  heart  sank  within  me, 
because  in  my  ignorance  I  believed  it  would  be  impossible 
for  any  fleet  of  vessels  to  capture  a  place  so  well  fortified 
as  was  the  city  of  Manila. 

It  must  have  been  that  Ray  had  thoughts  similar  to 
mine,  for  he  said,  almost  in  a  whisper,  as  we  stood  watch 
ing  the  lights  dance  to  and  fro  upon  the  Spanish  vessels  : 

"  If  there  is  to  be  a  battle  here,  and  our  people  are 
defeated,  what  will  become  of  the  few  Americans  in 

Manila  ?  " 

"We  won't   think   of    anything  like    that,"    I   replied, 


44  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

speaking  as  bravely  as  was  possible.  "  We  should  be 
able  to  whip  the  Spanish  fleet." 

"  And  that  done,  what  of  the  forts  ?  Do  you  believe 
they  can  be  taken  ?  " 

I  made  no  reply,  and  he  failed  to  notice  the  fact,  for 
just  then  we  saw  that  they  were  astir  on  the  other  ships ; 
we  could  hear  the  sound  of  oars,  and  fancied  it  was  possi 
ble  to  distinguish  the  outlines  of  small  boats  as  they  sped 
to  and  fro  from  one  vessel  to  the  other. 

Then  we  looked  seaward  again  ;  but  nothing  met  our 
gaze,  and  I  failed  to  hear  even  that  faint  noise  which  we 
had  believed  might  be  the  churning  of  a  steamer's  screw. 

Had  our  people  gone  back,  or  was  it  all  a  fancy,  in 
which  the  Spaniards  were  tricked  as  well  as  ourselves  ? 

It  seemed  as  if  I  ceased  to  breathe,  save  at  rare  inter 
vals,  during  the  next  hour,  and  then,  suddenly,  as  is  the 
case  in  the  tropics,  the  light  of  day  flashed  out. 

In  two  or  three  minutes,  where  had  been  darkness,  was 
that  gray  mist  which  tells  of  the  sun's  coming,  and  a 
moment  later  the  waters  of  the  bay  were  lighted  up. 

Now  it  was  that  Ray  and  I  cried  quite  as  loudly  and 
quite  as  wildly  as  did  the  Filipinos,  for  we  saw,  seemingly 
very  near  the  shore,  although  perhaps  it  may  have  been 
five  or  six  miles  away,  a  noble  fleet  of  mighty  ships,  from 
each  of  which  could  be  seen  floating  the  stars  and  stripes. 

As  we  afterward  came  to  know,  the  one  nearest  at 
hand  was  Commodore  Devvey's  flag-ship,  the  Olympia, 
then  the  Baltimore,  the  Raleigh,  the  Petrel,  the  Concord, 
the  Boston,  and  lastly  the  revenue  cutter  McCulloch. 


WITH   THE   INSURGENTS.  45 

"  Aguinaldo  !  Aguinaldo !  "  went  up  from  full  two 
hundred  throats,  and  I  saw  on  the  bridge  of  the  com 
modore's  vessel  a  figure  smaller  than  those  around  him, 
who  may  have  been,  for  aught  I  know,  the  insurgent 
leader ;  but  at  the  time  I  gave  no  heed  to  those  tiny 
specks  which  represented  men,  for  before  us  were  the 
vessels  of  my  own  country,  come,  as  I  then  foolishly 
believed,  to  meet  destruction  in  an  enemy's  waters. 

And  after  that  destruction,  what  might  be  the  fate  of 
my  father's  family? 


CHAPTER    III. 

A    NAVAL    BATTLE. 

TT  was  a  glorious  sight  which  we  saw  from  that  hill  just 

•*•   beyond  Cavite  on  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of  May, 

and  the  lad  who  has  never  been  in  a  foreign  country  fails 

to  realise  what  a  thrill  comes  upon  him  when  he  sees  flying 

from  the  masthead  of  a  ship  the  star-spangled  banner. 

If  one  flag  will  awaken  enthusiasm,  fancy  what  unspeak 
able  sensations  must  have  come  upon  Ray  and  me  as  we 
saw  our  flags  upon  all  those  noble  ships  which  advanced 
as  if  disdainful  of  such  an  enemy  as  they  were  about 
to  meet. 

It  was  no  longer  possible  for  me  to  unite  with  the 
Filipinos  in  shouts  of  joy ;  there  was  in  my  heart  such 
a  fear  for  what  the  future  might  bring,  as  held  me  silent 
and  motionless. 

It  would  be  impossible  for  a  lad  like  me  to  describe  in 
any  fitting  way  that  which  followed,  when  the  greatest 
naval  victory  the  world  ever  knew  was  won  before 
noon. 

I  can  only  write  of  what  I  saw,  without  attempting 
to  describe  the  emotions  which  were  awakened  by  the 
scene,  and  leave  to  the  reader,  if  it  so  chance  there 

46 


A   NAVAL   BATTLE. 


47 


be  a  reader  of  these  lines  outside  of  my  own  family,  to 

imagine  how  we  two  Boston  boys  must  have  felt  during 

that  forenoon  in  May. 

To  witness  a  naval  engagement,  when  the  spectator  has 

no    interest    whatsoever    in    either    force,    cannot   fail    of 

being  thrilling  ;  but  it  passes 

beyond  words  when  he  who 

looks    on    believes   that  the 

lives    of     those 

dear  to  him,  as 

well  as  his  own, 

depend  upon  the 

result. 

Our      vessels 

were  drawn  out 
in  line,  heading 
straight  up  the 
bay  as  if  to  pass 
Cavite  and  the 

Spanish  fleet  without    giving  any  heed  to    them  whatso 
ever. 

Below  us,  almost  at  our  feet,  the  enemy's  vessels  were 
steaming  slowly  to  and  fro  like  fighters  who  await  an 
opportunity  to  gain  some  slight  advantage  in  the  first 
grapple,  and  even  the  Filipinos  were  awed  into  silence  by 
the  view  of  these  mighty  war-machines  making  ready  to 
go  into  action. 

Our  vessels  were  moving  slowly,  as  if  courting  an 
attack,  when  suddenly,  with  a  boom  and  a  roar  that 


48  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

caused  me  to  start  in  alarm,  came  the  report  of  a  gun 
from  the  arsenal. 

We  on  the  hillside  could  see  the  enormous  shot  as  it 
sped  its  way  through  the  air,  and  I  gripped  my  hands 
hard  until  my  finger-nails  were  pressed  into  the  flesh, 
expecting  to  see  the  missile  crash  into  one  of  those 
gallant  craft  whereon  floated  the  stars  and  stripes. 

It  fell  far  astern  of  the  Boston,  as  if  to  show  how 
poorly  the  Spaniards  could  aim. 

Then  came  another  roar,  and  it  was  as  if  the  hill  on 
which  we  were  standing  trembled  ;  a  huge  volume  of 
smoke  went  up,  and  we  knew  a  second  gun  had  been 
discharged. 

Yet  there  was  no  answer  from  our  vessels,  and  Ray, 
clutching  me  by  the  arm  with  a  force  which  left  the 
imprints  of  his  fingers  for  more  than  two  days  after, 
cried,  nervously  : 

"  Why  don't  they  fire  ?  Our  ships  will  be  destroyed 
without  having  done  the  enemy  any  damage !  " 

He  had  no  more  than  spoken  when  a  line,  made  up  of 
tiny  specks  of  colour,  was  strung  aloft  from  the  Qlympia, 
and,  although  knowing  but  little  regarding  warfare,  we 
two  understood  that  the  commodore  was  giving  some 
order  to  the  other  vessels  of  the  fleet. 

Now  we  expected  to  see  the  flame  and  smoke  belch 
forth  from  those  mighty  ships,  and  yet  they  steamed  on 
quietly  and  silently  as  if  their  mission  were  simply  to  gain 
an  anchorage  off  Manila. 

Ahead  of  them,   from   the  direction   of  the  city,  came 


A    NAVAL    BATTLE.  49 

shot  after  shot,  and  the  Spanish  fleet  was  hidden  in  a 
cloud  of  smoke  as  they  added  to  the  shower  of  missiles. 

The  ground  trembled  as  if  smitten  by  an  earthquake, 
and  the  roar  and  rumble  of  guns  was  deafening ;  but  yet 
our  fleet  steamed  straight  ahead,  with  nothing  to  show 
that  there  was  life  on  board,  save  those  bits  of  colour  on 
the  Olympia,  the  commodore's  flag,  and  the  glorious  stars 
and  stripes. 

On  they  steamed  without  quickening  the  pace,  but 
bearing  slightly  to  the  left,  the  Spanish  line  all  aflame 
from  Cavite  to  Manila,  and  yet,  so  far  as  we  could  see, 
not  one  of  all  those  shots  struck  its  target. 

During  five  minutes  or  more  it  appeared  to  Ray  and 
me  as  if  the  Americans  were  bent  on  gaining  the  opposite 
shore  of  the  bay  out  of  range  ;  as  if,  after  viewing  the 
fortifications  and  the  enemy's  fleet,  they  would  retreat, 
understanding  that  defeat  must  follow  an  attack,  and  I 
believe  the  tears  came  into  my  eyes  as  this  thought 
formed  itself  in  my  mind. 

We  were  standing,  Ray  and  I,  with  clasped  hands,  and 
around  us  were  the  Filipinos,  now  suddenly  grown  silent 
because  it  seemed  as  if  the  Americans  flinched  from  the 
combat,  when  I  saw  the  prow  of  the  Olympia  turn  slightly 
shoreward.  Nearer  and  nearer  on  the  arc  of  a  circle  she 
bent,  until  the  entire  line  of  vessels  was  rounding  to 
opposite  Manila. 

Then  it  was  that  Ray  and  I  shouted  more  loudly 
than  any  Filipino  could  have  done,  for  the  battle  was 
on  ! 


50  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

Our  people  were  not  to  be  provoked  into  opening  fire 
until  they  had  made  ready,  and  were  in  such  position  as 
best  pleased  them.  This  evidence  of  cool  bravery  sent 
the  blood  bounding  through  my  veins,  and  from  that 
moment  I  ceased  to  fear  the  result. 

It  had  seemed  certain  that  the  Americans,  disregarding 
the  Spanish  fleet,  counted  on  opening  fire  upon  Manila, 
and  yet  the  fleet  was  swung  into  line  again,  heading 
straight  for  Cavite  without  a  shot  having  been  fired  from 
the  Yankee  guns. 

Then,  and  before  the  battle  had  opened  on  our  side, 
occurred  what  at  the  moment  seemed  to  me  like  a  strange 
thing. 

Directly  in  front  of  the  second  ship,  which  was  the 
Baltimore,  a  huge  column  of  water  shot  up,  rising  to 
twice  the  height  of  her  short  masts,  and  the  thunder  of 
the  guns  was  drowned  by  the  rumbling  roar  which  seemed 
to  come  from  the  very  bottom  of  the  bay. 

Then,  and  even  while  we  wrere  trying  to  decide  what 
had  caused  that  sudden  up-shooting  of  the  waves,  there 
was  another  spotting  of  water, — another  shock  as  if  the 
earth  itself  had  come  in  contact  with  some  heavier  body, 
and  it  appeared  to  us  on  shore  as  if  the  waves  dashed 
directly  over  the  third  vessel  in  line. 

"The  torpedoes!"  Panda  shouted.  "It  is  said  there 
are  many  of  them  between  Manila  and  Cavite." 

Surely  the  Spaniards,  with  their  batteries,  fleet,  forts, 
and  submarine  torpedoes,  should  be  able  to  beat  off  that 
slender  line  of  vessels  which  had  come  so  far  to  avenge 


A    NAVAL    BATTLE. 


53 


the    dastardly    deed    that    had    been    perpetrated    in    the 
harbour  of  Havana. 

To  us  on  shore  it  was  as  if  the  vessels  carrying  the 
stars  and  stripes  were  close  upon  Cavite  before  any  sign 
was  made  that  they  proposed  to  notice  the  Spanish 
fleet. 

At  this  time  every  battery  along  the  shore,  so  far  as  we 
could  see,  was  hurling  shot  and  shell  at  the  American  line, 
which  was  advancing  as  if  bent  only  upon  a  voyage  of 
sightseeing. 

Then,  and  while  the  Filipinos  were  shouting  words 
which  I  could  not  understand,  but  believed  they  expressed 
impatience  or  anger  because  of  the  delay,  from  the  for 
ward  part  of  the  Olympia  came  a  jet  of  smoke,  a  tongue 
of  fire,  and  I  distinctly  saw  an  iron  missile  strike  the 
aftermost  part  of  the  Castilla,  ploughing  its  way  through 
the  deck  as  if  through  so  much  paper. 

At  the  same  instant  another  line  of  fluttering  flags 
went  up  on  the  commodore's  vessel,  and  they  had  no  more 
than  been  flung  out  by  the  breeze  before  great  clouds  of 
smoke  arose  from  our  fleet,  and  we  heard  the  pounding 
of  shot  against  the  hulls  of  the  enemy's  vessels  even 
above  the  roar  of  those  thundering  guns. 

Now  the  Filipinos'  cries  of  impatience  and  anger  were 
suddenly  changed  to  shouts  of  rejoicing,  in  which  Ray  and 
I  joined  without  really  being  conscious  of  what  we  were 
doing. 

The  battle  was  on,  and,  however  much  damage  might 
have  been  inflicted  upon  our  ships,  of  a  certainty  the 


54  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

enemy  was  getting  a  punishment  so  terrifying  that  they 
could  not  long  withstand  it. 

Now  and  then,  as  the  clouds  of  smoke  lifted,  I  counted 
the  leaden-coloured  hulls,  fearing  lest  one  or  another  - 
perhaps  all  —  had  been  sunk  by  that  furious  rain  of  iron 
which  came  from  the  shore  and  the  Spanish  vessels  ;  yet 
each  time  I  did  so  the  number  was  complete. 

There  was  no  sign  of  disaster,  no  increase  of  speed,  nor 
lessening  of  it.  All,  so  far  as  the  manoeuvre  was  con 
cerned,  remained  the  same  as  when  we  first  saw  the 
squadron. 

Would  that  I  could  describe  the  spectacle  so  that  he  who 
reads  might  see  it  in  his  mind's  eye,  as  our  fleet  steamed 
past  Cavite  Point,  circling  to  the  right  only  a  mile  or  more 
beyond,  and  coming  down  again  in  line  of  battle,  dealing 
death  and  destruction  at  every  discharge  of  the  rapidly 
served  guns. 

The  morning  was  blazing  hot  ;  but  we  on  shore  heeded 
it  not.  Now  and  then  a  missile,  as  like  from  one  fleet  as 
the  other,  would  strike  within  five  hundred  yards  of  where 
we  stood  ;  but  it  caused  us  no  alarm. 

We  had  ceased  to  have  any  other  sense  than  that  of 
sight.  Personal  discomfort  was  entirely  forgotten.  The 
heat  and  the  mental  strain  caused  the  perspiration  to  run 
down  my  face  in  tiny  streams,  and  I  was  conscious  of  it 
only  because  my  eyes  were  suffused  with  moisture. 

We  had  lost  sight  of  town  and  of  ship  and  of  battery, 
in  the  sulphurous  smoke  which  hung  over  all,  when  the 
cloud  was  wafted  aside  by  a  gentle  breeze  from  the  shore, 


A    NAVAL   BATTLE.  57 

and  we  saw  two  small  steamers  putting  out  from  the 
shore  at  full  speed,  heading  directly  for  the  American 
flag-ship. 

I  wondered  if  they  were  carrying  a  message  from  the 
Spanish  admiral,  when  Ray  shouted  in  my  ear : 

"They  are  torpedo-boats  !  They  are  torpedo-boats,  and 
in  the  smoke  our  people  will  fail  to  see  them  !  " 

Again  it  was  as  if  my  heart  literally  stood  still,  —  as  if 
my  breath  ceased  to  come  because  of  the  fear  which  beset 
me  that  his  words  might  prove  true. 

Then  suddenly,  almost  at  the  same  instant  the  terror 
had  come  upon  me,  I  saw  one  of  the  little  craft  disappear 
beneath  the  waves  as  if  forced  down  by  some  giant  hand. 
The  other,  turning  swiftly,  while  the  black  smoke  which 
poured  out  of  her  stack  evidenced  the  frantic  efforts  of 
her  firemen,  headed  for  the  shore,  eager  to  escape  that 
murderous  rain  of  shot  and  shell  which  had  destroyed  her 
companion. 

The  smoke  shut  down  once  more,  and  when  it  lifted 
again  we  saw  a  Spanish  shot  strike  the  second  vessel  in 
the  line,  the  Baltimore,  fairly  on  her  side,  and  disappear 
within  the  iron  armour. 

It  was  when  the  ships  were  steaming  back  toward 
Manila  again  that  this  was  done,  and  from  the  Filipinos, 
as  well  as  us  two  American  boys,  a  cry  of  horror  burst 
forth. 

But  no  more  than  five  minutes  later  we  saw  her  again, 
apparently  uninjured,  and  doing  as  much  execution  in  the 
fight  as  either  of  the  other  vessels. 


58  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

Until  our  people  came  back  past  Cavite  again  the 
Spanish  fleet  remained  close  inshore,  moving  slowly  back 
and  forth,  but  evidently  taking  good  care  not  to  increase 
the  distance  from  the  land,  and  then  it  was  that  the 
Reina  Christina  went  swiftly  out  toward  the  Olympia  as 
if  challenging  her  to  a  duel. 

And  the  challenge  was  accepted. 

It  seemed  to  me  as  if  I  had  no  more  than  time  to  count 
a  hundred  before  the  enemy's  flag-ship  was  steaming 
back  at  full  speed  to  get  under  the  shelter  of  Cavite 
Point,  while  the  flames  were  bursting  out  from  her  stern. 

"  The  Spaniards  are  getting  the  worst  of  it  all  along  the 
line,  and  our  people  appear  to  be  as  bright  and  smiling  as 
ever,"  Ray  yelled  in  my  ear,  apparently  unable  to  remain 
silent  any  longer. 

The  smoke  settled  down  again  ;  the  roar  of  the  guns 
and  the  tremor  of  the  earth  seemed  to  have  increased. 
The  very  air  quivered  under  the  terrifying  concussions, 
and  while  enveloped  in  this  cloud,  American  and  Spaniard, 
from  vessel  and  fort  and  battery,  did  their  full  part  in  the 
horrible  din. 

It  seemed  to  me  as  if  a  very  long  time  passed  during 
which  we  saw  nothing  and  heard  nothing  distinctly, 
because  the  heavy  thundering  had  destroyed  our  sense 
of  hearing,  and  then  I  realised  that  the  noise  had  abated. 

It  became  less  and  less  until  finally  ceasing  entirely,  and 
we  on  the  shore  anxiously  asked  ourselves  who  had  come 
off  conquerors  in  this  battle,  wherein  it  seemed  as  if  the 
odds  were  heavily  against  the  Americans. 


A    NAVAL    BATTLE.  59 

Gradually  the  smoke  lifted,  and  we  saw,  to  our  surprise 
and  consternation,  those  vessels  flying  the  American  flag 
headed  directly  for  the  opposite  shore  of  the  bay  as  if  in 

full  retreat. 

I  looked  around  about  me,  and  at  that  moment  felt  a 
certain  sense  of  affection  for  those  Filipinos,  whom,  a  few 
hours  before,  I  had  considered  my  enemies,  for  on  the  face 
of  each  was  written  deepest  sorrow. 

They  also  believed  the  battle  was  lost,  and  we  stood 
staring  after  that  retreating  line  of  noble  vessels,  not  one 
of  whom  appeared  to  have  received  serious  injury,  until 
Panda  burst  forth  in  a  perfect  explosion  of  noise. 

He  was  dancing  to  and  fro  on  the  hill,  as  if  unable  to 
remain  quiet  a  single  moment,  and  pointing  with  both 
hands  at  the  enemy's  fleet  below  us. 

Lying  close  under  Cavite  Point  was  the  Rcina  Christina, 
the  black  smoke  pouring  up  from  her  decks  telling  of  the 
enemy  which  she  had  within  her  hull.  The  Castillo,  ap 
peared  to  be  in  flames  from  stem  to  stern,  and  one  of  the 
other  vessels,  the  Velasco,  I  afterward  came  to  believe  it 
was,  gave  good  evidence  that  she  would  soon  be  destroyed. 
Every  vessel  in  our  fleet  was  steaming  away  in  much 
the  same  order  and  at  the  same  pace  as  when  she  entered 
the  bay,  while  no  less  than  three  of  the  Spaniards  were  the 
same  as  destroyed,  and  I  asked  myself,  involuntarily  speak 
ing  aloud,  why  our  people  were  running  away. 

It  was  a  question  none  of  us  could  answer,  and  for  ten 
minutes  or  more  we  stood  there  in  a  most  singular  frame 
of  mind. 


60  WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 

On  one  hand  was  that  which  caused  us  keenest  satis 
faction  and  joy,  —  not  because  of  the  loss  of  human  life, 
but  that  our  people  had  whipped  their  enemy.  On 
the  other  hand  we  saw  the  stars  and  stripes  in  what 
seemed  like  full  retreat,  and  we  were  gladdened  and 
perplexed,  and  sorrowful  and  wondering,  all  at  the  same 
instant. 

While  we  stood  there  in  a  maze  of  bewilderment  the 
flames  burst  out  from  the  Is  la  de  Cuba,  and  on  nearly  all 
the  other  vessels  in  Cavite  Bay  were  the  men  running  to 
and  fro  as  if  in  dire  distress. 

We  had  fresh  cause  for  wonderment  when  our  fleet, 
steaming  slowly  around,  came  to  a  standstill  opposite  the 
city,  but  so  far  away  that,  so  far  as  fighting  was  concerned, 
it  might  as  well  have  been  at  the  other  end  of  the  bay. 

There  the  vessels  remained  silent  and  menacing,  as  if 
having  steamed  off  simply  to  watch  the  work  of  destruc 
tion  which  was  being  continued  even  after  they  had 
withdrawn  from  the  fight. 

O 

After  a  time  —  perhaps  half  an  hour  —  we  came  to 
understand,  or  believed  we  did,  that  our  fleet  had  simply 
retired  to  allow  the  flames  opportunity  to  complete  the 
work  they  had  so  well  begun,  and  once  this  satisfactory 
idea  gained  lodgment  in  our  minds  we  were  able  to  speak 
with  some  degree  of  calmness  concerning  the  wondrous 
spectacle  which  had  been  witnessed. 

The  Filipinos  were  literally  wild  with  delight.  They 
knew  beyond  a  question  that,  if  the  Spanish  fleet  had  not 
been  absolutely  destroyed,  it  was  so  far  disabled  as  to  be 


A    NAVAL   BATTLE. 


6l 


virtually  out  of  the  fight,  and  the  victory  was  with  the 
Americans. 

To  a  man  they  insisted  that  Aguinaldo  himself  was  on 
the  bridge  of  the  Olympia  when  she  first  steamed  past 
Cavite,  and  equally  positive  were  they  that  freedom  from 


foreign  rule  was  near  at  hand  for  the  inhabitants  of  the 
island. 

Ray  and  I  had  a  very  good  idea  as  to  how  lively  was 
their  sense  of  thankfulness,  when  each  in  turn  insisted 
upon  embracing  us,  simply  because  we  had  come  from  the 
United  States,  and  before  that  time  of  hugging  was  at  an 
end  we  knew  that  the  noise  and  smoke  of  battle  had  not 
deprived  us  of  all  our  senses. 

The  evidences  of  disaster  to  the  enemy  increased  each 


62  WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 

moment,  until  before  the  end  of  an  hour  I  think  no  less 
than  five  vessels  were  in  flames  to  a  greater  or  less  degree, 
and  the  forts  and  water  batteries  showed  signs  of  much 
suffering  from  Yankee  shot  and  Yankee  shell. 

Several  of  the  more  venturesome  among  our  Filipino 
companions  would  have  advanced  nearer  the  city,  bent, 
evidently,  upon  some  concerted  plan,  of  which  Panda  pro 
fessed  himself  to  be  in  ignorance ;  but  the  cooler  heads 
pointed  to  the  war-vessels  lying  just  beyond  range,  sug 
gesting,  with  apparently  good  reason,  that  there  might  be 
more  fighting  in  the  vicinity  of  Cavite  Point. 

As  for  Ray  and  myself,  we  had  no  desire  to  approach 
nearer  the  enemy,  feeling  quite  certain  that  if  we  showed 
ourselves  to  the  Spanish  soldiery  just  at  this  time  we 
might  receive  exceedingly  rough  handling.  We  no  longer 
felt  that  our  parents  were  in  great  anxiety  concerning  us, 
for  surely  now  the  cause  of  our  delay  must  be  in  some 
slight  degree  understood,  although  it  was  reasonable  to 
suppose  father  would  fail  to  guess  exactly  why  we  had  not 
returned  home  early  the  previous  afternoon,  and  it  seemed 
in  every  way  wisest  and  safest  to  remain  on  the  hill  until 
the  Spaniards  were  more  thoroughly  beaten  than  at  that 
time  was  evident. 

How  the  moments  dragged  after  we  had  settled  in  our 
own  minds  the  precise  condition  of  affairs  on  both  sides  ! 
How  eagerly  we  gazed  at  the  American  vessels  for  some 
signs  of  their  return,  and  how  keenly  we  watched  the 
enemy's  ships  lest  one  or  more  of  them  should  make  an 
attempt  at  escape ! 


A    NAVAL    BATTLE.  63 

It  seemed  to  me  as  if  one  whole  day  passed  while  we 
remained  inactive  there,  looking  out  over  that  terrible 
picture,  and  then  it  was  with  a  sense  of  deepest  relief, 
as  if  some  terrible  time  of  trial  and  suffering  were  about 
to  be  brought  to  an  end,  that  I  saw  the  ships,  which 
had  been  lying  in  wait,  begin  to  move  toward  us  once 
more. 

I  think  at  this  moment  black  smoke  was  pouring  up 
from  no  less  than  four  of  the  Spanish  fleet,  and  it  seemed 
much  like  striking  a  man  after  he  was  down,  to  pour  shot 
and  shell  into  those  disabled  vessels  ;  but  it  was  neces 
sary  because  the  royal  flag  was  still  flying  —  because  they 
did  not  choose  to  acknowledge  themselves  beaten  when 
they  were  well-nigh  destroyed. 

Steadily  our  vessels  advanced,  and  this  time  the  enemy 
was  not  eager  to  renew  the  conflict. 

Commodore  Dewey's  fleet  steamed  gradually  up  into 
position,  opening  fire  with  such  precision  that  we  could 
distinctly  see  the  first  half-dozen  shots  as  they  fell  upon 
the  uninjured  of  those  vessels  lying  in  Cavite  Bay. 

Then  the  smoke  of  battle  covered  everything  once 
more. 

The  thunder  of  the  guns  drowned  all  other  noise,  and 
the  tremor  in  the  air  caused  one  to  experience  a  sensa 
tion  of  giddiness. 

It  was  noontime.  The  heat  was  so  intense  as  to  be 
painful  to  us  on  the  hillside. 

There  was  no  breath  of  air  stirring,  and  one  could  well 
imagine  what  must  be  the  sufferings  of  those  gallant  lads 


64  WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 

confined  between  walls  of  iron,  heated  inside  by  the  fires 
of  the  furnaces  and  the  discharges  of  the  guns  until  such 
a  temperature  as  caused  us  suffering  was  like  unto  cool 


air. 


Before  the  cloud  of  wool-like  vapour  shut  out  the  fleet 
from  view,  we  saw  the  Baltimore  standing  well  in  toward 
the  shore  to  begin  a  deliberate  attack  upon  the  fortifica 
tions  on  Cavite  Point,  stopping  after  the  first  discharge 
to  pour  a  broadside  into  the  Reina  Christina  that  seemed 
literally  to  blow  her  to  fragments. 

Some  one  farther  down  the  hill   passed  back  the  word 
-for  one  could  not  shout  with  any  hope  of  being  heard 
a  yard  away  —  that  the   San  Juan  de  Austria  was  sunk, 
and  after  that  we  saw  no  more  until  the  firing  ceased. 

This  time  we  did  not  suffer  from  suspense  as  before, 
for  we  knew  beyond  a  question  that  all  the  Spanish 
vessels  and  fortifications  were  disabled  or  had  surren 
dered,  and  we  waited  with  more  of  curiosity  than  of 
eagerness  to  learn  which  it  might  be. 

What  we  saw  when  the  clouds  of  smoke  passed  away 
was  almost  appalling. 

The  forts  and  batteries  within  our  range  of  vision  were 
silenced,  and  where  the  Spanish  fleet  had  floated  so 
proudly  only  a  few  hours  before,  there  was  nothing  but 
blackened  hulls,  half  submerged  or  beached  upon  the 
shore. 

Three  vessels  were  missing,  and  we  knew  they  had 
been  sunk.  Eight  were  quite  or  nearly  consumed  by  the 
flames,  and  a  number  of  small  craft  which  had  plied  be- 


A    NAVAL    BATTLE.  6? 

tween  Manila  and  Cavite  were  following  in  the  wake 
of  our  fleet,  flying  American  instead  of  Spanish  flags. 

As  for  our  vessels,  they  were  steaming  in  the  direction 
of  Manila,  with  the  exception  of  one  which  was  yet 
behind  the  point  pouring  shot  into  two  or  three  small 
gunboats  that  were  huddled  together  in  shallow  water 
as  if  for  mutual  protection. 

I  gave  little  heed  to  this  last  work,  so  deeply  was  I 
interested  in  the  further  manoeuvres  of  our  ships,  and, 
as  might  have  been  expected,  we  presently  saw  them  come 
to  anchor  off  the  city  of  Manila. 

As  for  the  town  and  arsenal  of  Cavite,  they  were  still 
in  the  possession  of  the  enemy ;  but  that  seemed  at  the 
moment  of  small  importance,  for  we  knew  they  could  be 
captured  whenever  Commodore  Dewey  was  minded  to  go 
back  to  his  work. 

It  was  at  this  time,  while  the  Filipinos  were  given  up 
to  a  delirium  of  triumph  and  joy,  that  Ray  and  I  mutely 
questioned  each  other  as  to  what  we  should  do. 

Under  the  present  condition  of  affairs,  while  the 
American  fleet  lay  off  the  city,  it  was  not  probable  we 
would  be  allowed  to  enter,  for  unquestionably  the  Spanish 
troops  were  guarding  it  as  closely  as  might  be. 

This  also  was  the  case  with  the  city  at  our  feet,  and 
there  seemed  to  be  no  choice  left  us  but  to  remain  with 
our  Filipino  companions,  sharing  such  quarters  as  they 
might  be  able  to  provide  us  with. 

I  do  not  think  either  Ray  or  I  spoke  while  we  stood 
facing  each  other  with  such  thoughts  in  our  minds.  It 


68  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

was  as  if  I  could  read  readily  the  perplexities  which  beset 
him,  and  he  was  not  at  a  loss  to  understand  me. 

It  was  Panda  who  settled  the  matter  for  us  by  coming 
up  excitedly  as  he  embraced  us  once  more,  crying,  in 
a  tone  of  deepest  affection  : 

"  The  Americans  and  the  Filipinos  are  brothers  !  You 
shall  remain  with  my  people  until  the  red,  white,  and  blue 
flag  is  hoisted  over  Manila.  We  will  care  for  you  as  we 
would  for  our  best  beloved,  for  it  is  your  people  who  have 
given  us  freedom  !  " 


CHAPTER    IV. 

IN    CAVITE. 

TT  was  all  very  well  for  Panda  to  talk  about  the  Fili- 
••-  pinos  being  our  brothers,  and  that  sort  of  thing,  but  it 
did  not  go  far  toward  relieving  our  minds. 

To  the  right  of  us,  and  directly  below  on  the  shore, 
we  could  see  the  Spanish  flags  still  flying.  The  inhabit 
ants  of  both  cities  were  shut  in  until  it  should  please  the 
military  authorities  to  allow  them  to  depart,  and  we  were 
shut  out. 

No  one  could  say  how  long  a  time  might  elapse  before 
we  could  be  with  our  parents  again,  and  it  was  this  fact 
which  dampened  the  joy  that  had  come  to  us  at  the 
moment  of  victory. 

The  longer  I  thought  of  the  situation  the  more  unpleas 
ant,  even  dangerous,  did  our  position  appear,  until  I  was 
resolved  to  put  it  out  of  my  mind  for  the  time  being,  and 
I  said  to  Ray,  with  as  much  of  cheerfulness  as  it  was 
possible  to  assume  : 

"  Since  we  cannot  mend  matters,  there  is  no  good 
reason  why  we  should  borrow  trouble  by  imagining  that 
all  sorts  of  evil  must  come  upon  us.  Father  will  surely 
find  some  means  of  communicating  with  the  commander 

69 


70  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

of  our  fleet,  and  before  many  hours  have  passed  we  shall 
see  him." 

"  That  might  be  true,  if  he  knew  exactly  where  to  find 
us  ;  but  how  is  it  possible  for  him  to  learn  that  we  are 
skulking  in  the  hills  back  of  Cavite,  or  how  may  he  send 
a  message  to  us  while  the  Spaniards  hold  possession  of 
the  shore  ?  " 

"  Both  cities  must  be  surrendered  before  a  great  while, 
now  that  the  fleet  has  been  destroyed,"  I  replied,  trying 
to  make  what  seemed  very  dark  to  me  appear  bright 
to  him. 

Then  Panda  interfered,  and  it  was  well  he  did,  for  we 
had  almost  forgotten  the  glorious  victory  in  our  own  per 
sonal  troubles.  Had  we  been  left  alone  a  few  moments 
more  both  of  us  would  have  been  plunged  into  titter 
despair. 

The  Filipinos  were  making  ready  to  approach  the  city, 
confident  that  the  insurgents  would  be  nearabout  await 
ing  the  landing  of  their  leader,  for,  as  I  have  said,  every 
one  was  confident  Aguinaldo  had  entered  the  bay  on  board 
the  American  fleet. 

Panda  insisted,  with  somewhat  of  authority  in  his  tone, 
that  we  accompany  the  throng,  and  indeed  there  seemed  to 
be  no  other  course  for  us  to  pursue.  To  separate  ourselves 
from  those  who  were  willing  to  give  us  shelter  and  food 
would,  at  this  time,  have  been  little  less  than  folly,  and 
I  was  determined  to  appear  brave  even  while  I  felt 
cowardly. 

"We  will  go  with  Panda,"  I  said  to  Ray,  "and  forget, 


AT  CAVITE.  /I 

so  far  as  possible,  all  disagreeable  matters.  Neither  our 
parents  nor  ourselves  are  in  any  danger  — 

"  How  can  you  say  that  ?  "  my  brother  asked,  bitterly. 
"After  what  our  vessels  have  done  this  day,  do  you  believe 
the  life  of  an  American  is  safe  ?  " 

"  Who  would  do  them  harm  ? "  I  asked,  stoutly,  but 
with  an  inward  tremor,  for  a  yet  greater  fear  suddenly 
came  upon  me.  "  Surely  the  natives  will  be  friendly, 
and  if  the  lower  classes  of  Spaniards  in  the  city  should 
attempt  to  commit  murder,  the  English  would  take  sides 
with  the  Americans." 

It  was  well  this  discussion  was  not  allowed  to  proceed 
further,  else  might  we  have  worked  ourselves  into  such  a 
frame  of  mind  as  would  have  unfitted  us  for  that  which 
followed,  when  it  became  necessary  we  be  keenly  alive  to 
all  the  surroundings. 

Panda's  friends  were  eager  to  approach  the  city,  and 
not  disposed  to  spend  much  time  in  persuading  us  to 
accompany  them.  In  fact,  the  Filipino  lad  himself,  grow 
ing  impatient  because  of  the  delay,  plumply  told  us  that 
we  must  set  out  with  him  at  once,  or  go  our  way  without 
further  expectation  of  assistance  or  guidance  from  him. 

The  victory,  which  these  natives  believed  would  be  of 
such  wondrous  benefit  to  their  cause,  made  them  all 
exceedingly  valiant,  and  just  at  this  time  their  General 
Aguinaldo  was  a  greater  man  than  the  American  Com 
modore  Dewey. 

Ray  and  I  followed  the  party  down  the  hillside,  and 
then  along  the  plain  until  we  had  come  to  the  suburbs  of 


/2  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

•the  city,  when  the  majority  of  t'hem  halted  while  a  few 
went  forward  to  reconnoitre,  for  there  were  too  many 
Spanish  soldiers  in  and  about  Cavite,  every  one  of  whom 
was  probably  in  a  bad  humour,  to  render  it  safe  for  a  party 
of  insurgent  sympathisers  to  show  themselves  boldly. 

We  had  halted  under  the  shade  of  a  nipa-thatched  ware 
house,  and  there  the  party  remained  upwards  of  an  hour 
before  any  of  the  scouts  returned. 


The  arsenal,  the  navy  yard,  and  the  water  batteries  on 
the  point  were  yet  in  possession  of  the  king's  forces,  so 
the  spies  reported,  and  it  would  be  in  the  highest  degree 
unsafe  to  enter  the  city  until  the  Americans  should  com 
plete  their  work. 

As  a  matter  of  course  there  was  no  possibility  we  might 
get  transportation  to  Manila,  even  had  we  been  disposed 
to  run  the  risks  of  the  short  passage,  and  with  such  good 
grace  as  could  be  called  up  we  submitted  ourselves  to  the 
inevitable.  In  other  words,  we  bowed  to  the  fact  that 


AT   CAVITE.  73 

we  must  remain  away  from  our  parents  for  at  least 
twenty-four  hours  longer. 

Had  we  been  less  troubled  in  mind,  this  delay  would 
not  have  seemed  unpleasant,  because  of  what  was  occurring 
around  us. 

The  insurgents  and  their  friends  had  begun  to  gather 
in  expectation  of  seeing  Aguinaldo  ;  and  the  disaffected 
natives  joined  the  rapidly  increasing  throng  from  motives 
of  curiosity  or  policy,  for  now  had  come  the  time  when 
they  must  declare  for  or  against  those  who  styled  them 
selves  patriots. 

We  came  down  from  the  hillside  perhaps  two  hundred 
strong,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  after  arriving  at  the  ware 
house  I  believe  there  were  more  than  a  thousand  in  the 
immediate  vicinity. 

At  first  we  saw  weapons  in  the  hands  of  a  few ;  but  as 
night  approached  nearly  every  man  armed  himself  after 
some  fashion  or  other,  until  the  throng  presented  a  most 
formidable  appearance. 

Even  Panda,  boy  that  he  was,  carried  a  sword-like 
knife,  and  would  have  pressed  upon  us  something  of  the 
same  kind  but  that  we  refused  to  accept  arms  of  any  sort. 

"  Weapons  would  be  of  but  little  use  to  us,  either 
against  these  people  or  the  Spanish  soldiers,  and  we  are 
safer  while  defenceless,"  Ray  whispered  to  me  when  the 
party  began  to  take  on  a  warlike  appearance. 

I  was  of  the  same  opinion,  and  therefore  did  we  refuse 
Panda's  offer. 

There  was  no  lack  of  food.     The  people  nearabout,  and 


74  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

even  for  several  miles  back  in  the  country,  rejoicing  be 
cause  of  the  downfall  of  their  ancient  enemy,  brought  out 
all  their  stores,  and  had  Aguinaldo  appeared  then  he 
would  have  found  at  his  call  a  full  regiment  of  armed 
men,  provisioned  for  two  or  three  days. 

Until  late  in  the  night  Ray  and  I  spent  the  time  in 
watching  these  people,  but  understanding  not  a  word  that 
was  said,  and  seeing  Panda  only  at  rare  intervals. 

The  cook's  son  had  suddenly  become  a  person  of  impor 
tance,  in  his  own  eyes  at  least,  and  gave  but  little  heed 
to  us. 

We  were  not  troubled  by  his  neglect  for  the  time  being  ; 
but  promised  each  other  that  we  would  keep  a  watchful 
eye  on  him  next  morning,  so  that  he  should  be  forced  to 
act  as  guide.  It  seemed  probable  that  then  we  might 
succeed  in  getting  into  Manila,  for  I  believed  the  city 
would  speedily  surrender  to  Commodore  Dewey  after 
such  an  exhibition  of  his  power  as  had  just  been  given. 

We  remained  in  the  warehouse  all  night,  for  the  very 
good  reason  that  there  was  no  other  convenient  place  near 
at  hand,  and  slept  as  best  we  could  while  a  thousand  or 
more  natives  moved  restlessly  to  and  fro,  brandishing 
weapons  and  giving  vent  to  what  we  believed  were  threats 
against  the  government  which  had  so  long  held  them  in 
subjection. 

With  the  first  light  of  dawn  Ray  and  I  were  where  we 
could  command  a  view  of  the  bay  in  the  direction  of 
Manila,  and  to  our  great  relief  we  saw  one  of  Commodore 
Dewey's  vessels  get  under  way  and  steam  toward  us. 


AT   CAVITE.  75 

Now  was  come  the  time,  as  we  believed,  when  all  our 
troubles  would  be  speedily  ended,  but  we  were  not  so 
fortunate. 

It  was  the  Baltimore,  as  we  afterward  learned,  which 
had  left  her  anchorage,  and,  instead  of  stopping  at  Cavite 
even  long  enough  to  throw  a  shot  or  shell  into  the  fortifi 
cations,  she  steamed  directly  past  us  in  the  direction  of 
Corregidor,  and  more  than  one  of  the  natives  believed  she 
was  leaving  the  bay  to  summon  assistance. 

"  Our  people  will  give  no  attention  to  Cavite  until  after 
Manila  has  surrendered,"  Ray  said,  despondently,  and  I 
was  of  the  same  mind  until  a  few  moments  later,  when  we 
saw  another  vessel  leave  her  anchorage  to  come  in  our 
direction. 

It  was  the  Petrel,  and  the  fear  flashed  upon  me  that  all 
of  the  squadron  would  leave  us  ;  that  the  destruction  of 
the  Spanish  fleet  was  Commodore  Dewey's  only  purpose 
in  visiting  the  bay,  and,  the  task  having  been  accom 
plished,  he  was  about  to  return  to  his  former  rendez 
vous. 

This  time,  however,  we  were  happily  disappointed. 

The  Petrel  steamed  nearer  inshore  than  had  the  Balti 
more,  and  came  to  a  full  stop  within  a  distance  of  five  or 
six  hundred  yards  of  the  arsenal. 

Then  a  boat  was  lowered,  and  we  two  lads,  together 
with  all  the  Filipinos,  watched  eagerly  to  learn  the  mean 
ing  of  this  manoeuvre. 

Our  curiosity  was  not  gratified  for  some  time.  After 
perhaps  half  an  hour  had  been  spent  on  shore,  the 


76  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

small  boat  pulled  off  to  the  Petrel  again,  and  matters 
appeared  to  be  in  the  same  condition  as  before  her  ar 
rival. 

Surely  it  was  perplexing,  and  the  natives  exhibited 
quite  as  much  disappointment  as  did  my  brother  and  I. 

Now  came  a  long  time  of  waiting,  or,  at  least,  so  it 
seemed  to  us,  although  no  more  than  three  hours  elapsed 
before  the  word  was  passed  from  one  to  the  other  of  the 
Filipinos  that  the  Spanish  troops  were  marching  out  of 
the  fortifications" 

Cavite  was  being  evacuated,  and  our  time  of  deliverance 
seemed  near  at  hand. 

"  We  are  all  right  now,"  Ray  said,  joyously,  throwing  his 
arms  about  my  neck  as  if  only  by  some  display  of  affec 
tion  could  he  show  his  great  relief  of  mind.  "  We're  all 
right  now,  for  as  soon  as  these  Spaniards  have  quitted  the 
town  we  can  make  ourselves  known  to  the  commander  of 
the  war-vessel,  and  he  must  take  us  on  board.  Fancy  the 
sensation  of  being  among  our  own  countrymen,  rather 
than  this  rabble,  any  one  of  whom  appears  ready  to 
commit  murder !  " 

The  Filipinos  moved  yet  nearer  the  city,  and  we  fol 
lowed  eagerly,  for  it  was  our  purpose  to  show  ourselves  in 
the  front  as  soon  as  it  might  be  safe,  in  order  to  attract 
the  attention  of  the  Americans. 

We  were  come  into  what  appeared  to  me  to  be  a 
market-place,  when  the  party  halted,  and  from  where  we 
stood  —  a  motley  gathering  of  men,  women,  and  children, 
for  by  this  time  our  numbers  were  added  to  by  the  inhabi- 


AT  CAVITE. 

tants  —  a  good  view  could  be  had  of  the  retreating  Span 
iards,  who  were  marching  out  fully  armed. 

Here  and  there  was  a  native  venturesome  enough  to 
raise  his  voice  in  cries  of  triumph  ;  but  those  nearest 
quickly  checked  such  an  outburst,  which  was  in  the  high 
est  degree  dangerous,  for  men  in  such  mood  as  were  these 
vanquished  soldiers  would  not  hesitate  to  send  a  volley 
among  a  throng  like  ours  as  a  means  of  relieving  their 
own  feelings. 

Less  than  half  an  hour  after  we  were  arrived,  the  last  of 
the  troops  disappeared  in  the  distance,  marching  in  the 
direction  of  Manila,  and  there  was  no  longer  anything  to 
restrain  the  Filipinos,  who,  with  loud  shouts  of  triumph 
and  menacing  cries,  rushed  forward  into  the  city. 

Ray  and  I  went  with  them  because  we  could  do  no  less 
while  in  the  midst  of  such  a  gathering,  and  would  have 
done  so  even  had  it  been  possible  to  choose  our  own 
course,  for  we  were  advancing  toward  that  point  where 
I  believed  the  Americans  were  most  likely  to  come  ashore. 
It  had  been  an  hour  or  more  since  we  last  saw  Panda  ; 
but  I  had  little  care  as  to  his  absence,  because  now  we 
needed  no  guide. 

Once  we  had  made  ourselves  known  to  the  boys  in  blue, 
all  troubles  would  be  at  an  end. 

While  we  were  crossing  the  market-place  the  Filipinos 
contented  themselves  with  uttering  joyous  or  menacing 
cries  ;  but  once  the  leaders  of  the  throng  were  in  the 
vicinity  of  stores  and  dwellings  their  evil  instincts  burst 
forth. 


7 8  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

In  an  instant  what  had  been  a  crowd  of  people  happy 
in  the  belief  that  the  cause  of  freedom  was  triumphant 
became  a  howling,  shrieking  mob,  ready  for  mischief  of 
any  kind,  and  seeking  some  living  thing  on  which  to  wreak 
revenge  for  the  wrongs  endured  so  long  in  silence. 

It  seemed  almost  incredible  that  all  those  men  could 
have  changed  in  appearance,  as  well  as  intent,  so  sud 
denly.  At  one  moment  I  saw  about  me  only  friendly 
faces,  and  in  a  twinkling  Ray  and  I  were  surrounded  by 
brutes  in  human  form  who  panted  for  blood. 

We  stood  appalled,  not  knowing  which  way  to  turn, 
when  shrieks  of  pain  from  a  dwelling  near  by  caused  us 
to  leap  forward,  believing  it  possible  to  relieve  a  fellow 
creature  in  distress. 

There  was  no  question  as  to  the  distress  ;  but  it  was 
beyond  our  power  to  lend  a  helping  hand. 

The  Filipinos  had  come  upon  an  old  Spaniard,  one  who, 
perhaps,  had  insulted  or  wronged  some  of  them,  and  were 
dragging  him  from  his  dwelling  that  all  might  participate 
in  the  revenge. 

The  Indians  of  America  could  not  have  been  more 
cruel,  or  looked  upon  human  agony  with  greater  zest. 
Even  the  women  tried  to  force  their  way  among  the  crowd 
which  surrounded  the  prisoner,  and,  failing,  threw  what 
ever  came  nearest  at  hand  at  the  old  man,  who  was  being 
dragged  by  the  heels  back  to  the  market-place. 

Ray  and  I,  knowing  full  well  that  we  could  give  no  aid 
to  the  poor  wretch,  would  have  gone  in  the  opposite  direc 
tion,  hoping  to  escape  a  view  of  what  we  knew  only  too 


AT  CAVITE.  79 

well  must  follow ;  but  so  dense  was  the  throng  that  we 
were  forced  along  with  that  yelling  mob  despite  our  frantic 
efforts  to  the-  contrary. 

We  saw  all  that  followed,  for  while  so  many  were 
brandishing  weapons  it  seemed  in  the  highest  degree 
dangerous  to  close  one's  eyes  even  for  an  instant,  and 
neither  of  us  will  ever  be  able  to  forget  it. 

To  describe  how  that  old  man  was  tortured  would  be 
too  horrible  even  for  words,  and  I  rejoiced  when  death 
finally  came  to  his  relief. 

The  people  were  massed  so  closely  around  us  that  we 
could  not  move  half  a  dozen  inches  in  either  direction 
until  after  the  terrible  spectacle  had  come  to  an  end, 
when  loud  shouts  in  the  distance  told  that  another  victim 
had  been  found. 

The  bloodthirsty  brutes  ran  eagerly  in  the  direction 
indicated  by  the  cries  of  joy  and  triumph,  and  on  the 
instant  Ray  and  I  set  our  faces  toward  the  hills,  for  we 
would  not  advance  on  a  course  where  we  might  witness 
another  scene  of  horror,  even  in  order  to  meet  those  who 
would  rescue  us  from  these  so-called  patriots. 

"  I  had  rather  skulk  around  the  country  a  week,  or  take 
the  chances  of  making  our  way  back  to  Manila,  than  stay 
here  a  single  minute,"  Ray  said,  with  a  convulsive  tremor, 
which  told  how  deeply  the  cruel  death  of  the  old  man 
had  affected  him,  and  I  was  ready  to  go  wheresoever  he 
proposed,  providing  the  course  led  us  away  from  these 
wretched  Filipinos. 

Hand   in   hand   we   ran,    believing   there  would  be   no 


80  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    7V   MANILA. 

difficulty  in  finding  the  warehouse  in  which  we  had  spent 
the  night,  and  from  there  we  could  readily  gain  the  open 
country. 

The  streets  were  thronged  with  people,  some,  like  our 
selves,  frightened ;  others  triumphantly  noisy,  and  yet 
more  breathing  threats  of  vengeance  against  those  of 
Spanish  blood. 

If  our  squadron  accomplished  no  more  than  the  freeing 
of  such  as  these,  then  to  my  mind  it  was  worse  than 
a  waste  of  ammunition. 

The  multitude  that  continued  to  flow  into  the  city  may 
have  confused  us,  or,  in  our  agitation,  we  forgot  the  direc 
tion,  turning  to  the  right  when  we  should  have  gone  to  the 
left  ;  but  whatever  the  cause  we  failed  to  find  the 
way  out  of  the  city,  and  instead  of  arriving  at  the  ware 
house,  we  found  ourselves  in  an  open  square,  where  a 
hundred  or  more  half-naked  men  were  sacking  stores  and 
houses. 

These  people  differed  in  appearance  from  Panda's 
friends,  and  I  fancied  they  had  come  from  the  interior 
of  the  island,  attracted  by  the  reports  of  the  heavy  guns  ; 
but  there  was  no  thought  either  in  my  mind  or  Ray's  that 
we  were  in  any  danger  from  them. 

During  two  or  three  minutes  we  stood  at  one  side  of 
the  square  trying  to  determine  in  which  direction  we 
should  proceed,  and  then  I  observed  four  evil-looking 
fellows  eyeing  us  in  anything  rather  than  an  agreeable 
manner. 

"  Look   over   there!"    I  whispered.      "Those  men  are 


AT  CAVITE.  83 

talking  about  us,  and  it  may  not  be  well  to  loiter 
here." 

"  Surely  none  of  the  Filipinos  would  harm  an  American 
after  what  our  vessels  did  yesterday,"  Ray  replied,  with 
a  nervous  laugh. 

"  That  may  be  true ;  but  yet  I  had  rather  not  have  too 
close  an  acquaintance  with  such  vicious-looking  fellows. 
A  moment  ago  I  hoped  we  should  never  see  that  wretched 
Panda  again  ;  but  now  I  would  feel  more  safe  if  he  were 
here." 

"  There  is  no  reason  why  we  should  stay,  if  you  are 
afraid,"  Ray  replied,  seizing  me  by  the  hand  as  one  would 
a  child,  and  turning  to  retrace  his  steps. 

I  followed  meekly,  expecting  to  feel  the  blade  of  a  knife 
in  my  back  at  any  instant,  and  wholly  unnerved. 

Before  we  had  taken  a  dozen  steps  the  sound  of  hurried 
footsteps  from  the  rear  told,  as  plainly  as  if  I  had  seen  all 
the  movements,  that  we  were  being  pursued. 

Now  I  was  the  one  to  lead  the  way,  and  at  full  speed 
I  ran,  literally  dragging  Ray  after  me,  until  a  hand  roughly 
grasped  my  shoulder,  pulling  me  backward  so  violently 
that  I  was  thrown  from  my  feet. 

A  cry  of  anger  rather  than  fear  burst  from  Ray's  lips, 
but  I  was  literally  unable  to  make  the  slightest  sound. 

That  horrible  deed  we  had  witnessed  near  the  market 
place  was  before  my  eyes,  and  I  believed  we  were  doomed 
to  suffer  as  had  the  old  man. 

Ray,  who  had  managed  to  retain  his  footing  when  the 
fellows  seized  us,  turned  with  a  brave  show  of  courage, 


84  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA, 

as  if  ready  to  meet  them  empty-handed,  facing  the  gleam 
ing  knives  without  a  tremor. 

Even  though  believing  absolutely  that  we  would  be 
killed  without  a  show  of  mercy  on  the  part  of  any  in  all 
that  throng,  I  overcame  the  stupefaction  of  terror  suffi 
ciently  to  cry  : 

"  Be  careful,  Ray,  dear !  Do  not  enrage  them  yet 
further  !  " 

"  Get  on  your  feet  and  stand  by  my  side  !  "  he  cried, 
sharply.  "  I'm  not  minded  to  hold  my  head  down  that 
these  villains  may  cut  my  throat  the  more  easily.  Stand 
by  me,  and  we  will  back  them  clown." 

"What  can  we  do  against  a  thousand  ?"  I  moaned,  in 
despair. 

"  Die  fighting,  if  no  more!"  and  the  dear  boy  struck 
out  with  his  right  fist,  tumbling  one  of  the  half-naked 
brutes  over  with  a  blow  full  on  the  neck. 

It  was  the  younger  who  had  taken  the  part  of  leader, 
and  from  that  moment  until  we  were  finally  escaped  from 
danger,  I  obeyed  on  the  instant  any  and  every  order  he 
gave. 

His  display  of  bravery  had  given  me  some  slight  show 
of  courage,  although  the  despair  in  my  heart  was  not 
lessened,  and,  regardless  of  the  flourish  of  knives,  I 
managed  to  regain  my  feet,  standing  close  by  Ray. 

"  Get  behind  me  !  "  he  cried.  "  It  must  be  back  to 
back  now,  for  these  brutes  would  sooner  strike  a  foul 
blow  than  a  fair  one." 

"If  we  can  gain  time  Panda  may  come   up,"  I  whim- 


AT  CAVITE.  85 

pered,  for  I  am  free  to  confess  that  at  this  trying  moment 
I  was  a  rank  coward. 

"  There's  little  hope  of  that,  and  even  if  he  should  let 
us  see  his  brown  face  here,  I'm  uncertain  whether  it 
wouldn't  be  as  an  enemy.  After  what  our  sailors  did 
yesterday,  an  American  should  be  ashamed  to  show  the 
white  feather,  however  great  the  danger,  so  hold  your 
ground  to  the  last  minute." 

I  was  not  so  terrified  but  that  I  could  note  a  certain 
change  of  expression  on  the  face  of  the  man  directly  in 
front  of  me  when  Ray  spoke  the  word  "  American,"  and 
instantly  the  thought  came  that  it  might  be  possible  to 
make  known  who  we  were.  Then  I  cried,  at  the  full 
strength  of  my  lungs,  repeating  the  words  again  and  again  : 

"We  are  Americans  !  Americans  !  " 

Ray  meanwhile  was  warding  off  an  attack,  apparently 
giving  little  heed  to  my  shouts. 

The  foremost  of  the  pursuing  party  was  evidently  bent 
on  making  us  yet  closer  prisoners,  in  order,  most  likely, 
that  we  might  be  the  more  readily  tortured,  and  had 
dropped  his  long  knife  for  the  time  being. 

At  such  a  game  my  brother  could  hold  his  own  with 
any  ordinary  Filipino,  and  right  manfully  was  he  doing 
it,  dealing  a  blow  now  and  then  with  such  vigour  that 
the  villain  was  rapidly  getting  the  worst  of  the  battle. 
Strange  as  it  may  seem,  his  discomfiture  pleased  those 
who  had  gathered  to  have  a  share  in  our  death. 

Every  one  of  them  stood  by  watching  the  battle,  and 
my  cries  were  no  longer  heeded. 


WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 


"  Look  out  for  yourself  !  "  Ray  shouted,  when  I  had  half 
turned  to  aid  him,  if  necessary.  "  You  should  be  able  to 
do  something  of  this  kind  if  any  of  them  come  too  near !  " 
To  my  mind  this  was  but  prolonging  the  agony,  and 
by  thus  struggling  we  were  affording  amusement  for  the 
savages,  who  at  any  moment  might  put  an  end  to  our 

weak  defence 
by  attacking  us 
with  their 
knives,  when  a 
single  thrust 
would  disable 
one  or  both. 

Therefore  it 
was  I  continued 
to  cry  out  that 
we  were  Ameri 
cans,  regardless 
of  whether  they 
heeded  me,  and  as  I  did  so  there  came  the  hope  that 
the  sailors  from  the  war-vessel  might  soon  come  this  way. 
Surely  a  landing  would  be  effected  once  it  was  under 
stood  that  the  Spanish  forces  had  evacuated  the  place, 
and  even  at  this  moment  they  might  be  on  shore. 

This  much  I  said  to  Ray,  hoping  to  cheer  him  who  had 
vainly  been  trying  to  cheer  me,  and  he  replied,  panting 
with  the  severe  exertion  of  keeping  the  supple  Filipino  at 
a  proper  distance  : 

"  I   can't  hold  out    much   longer,    Ernest,   and   it  isn't 


AT  CAVITE.  S/ 

likely  this  murderer  will  be  willing  to  play  at  such  a  game 
a  great  while.  Once  his  temper  gets  the  best  of  him  we 
are  done  for !  " 

If  Ray  was  growing  disheartened,  surely  the  end  was 
near  at  hand,  for  I  could  not  hope  to  make  so  brave  a 
showing,  and  once  more  I  gave  way  to  cowardice. 

I  thought  of  mother  and  of  father,  wondering  if  they 
would  ever  learn  how  we  had  died,  and  as  the  tears  came 
into  my  eyes  there  was  a  prayer  in  my  heart  that  we 
might  not  live  as  long  under  the  torture  as  had  the  old 
man  whose  murder  we  had  witnessed. 


CHAPTER    V. 

THE    PETREL. 

A  S  we  stood  there,  Ray  battling  manfully  but  nearly 
^~^  breathless  because  of  the  severe  exertions,  and  I  in 
the  last  stages  of  despair,  believing  there  was  no  hope  our 
lives  might  be  spared,  the  thought  came  to  me  that  if  by 
a  sudden  dash  we  could  make  our  way  to  the  waterside  it 
would  be  possible  to  attract  the  attention  of  those  on 
board  the  American  war-vessel. 

For  a  single  instant  this  idea  revived  me,  and  then, 
looking  around  upon  that  mass  of  brown  faces  which 
surrounded  us,  for  the  crowd  of  spectators  had  rapidly 
increased,  I  realised  that  fifty  men  would  not  be  able  to 
force  a  passage  through,  therefore  what  could  two  lads 
hope  to  effect  ? 

It  was  when  the  last  vestige  of  hope  was  swept  away 
that  almost  unconsciously  I  raised  my  voice  once  more  in 
the  cry  : 

"  We  are  Americans  !     Americans  !  " 

Amid  the  hum  of  voices  and  the  laughter  of  those  who 
were  enjoying  this  badgering  of  two  boys  before  murder 
ing  them,  I  caught  a  cry  in  the  distance  which  had  a 
friendly  ring,  and  in  the  stupefaction  of  despair  which  was 


THE   PETREL.  89 

creeping  over  me  I  wondered  why  it  should  be,  when  all 
were  seeking  our  blood,  that  any  would  answer  in  such  a 
tone  what  I  believed  to  be  my  last  declaration. 

Again  was  the  cry  repeated,  and  Ray,  who,  because  of 
his  courage,  was  more  keenly  on  the  alert,  shouted,  as  he 
struck  his  antagonist  a  blow  that  would  have  sent  him 
headlong  but  for  the  throng  in  the  rear  : 

"  That  was  Panda  who  cried  !  There  may  be  a  chance 
for  life  yet,  Ernest  !  Take  my  place  until  I  can  get 
breath  !  " 

His  words  had  a  marvellous  effect.  In  an  instant  the 
cowardice  and  despair  had  left  me,  and  I  thought  no 
longer  that  we  were  doomed  ;  but  only  of  how  I  might 
best  get  the  advantage  of  that  half-naked  Filipino  who 
was  striving  to  show  his  followers  that  he  did  not  deem  a 
weapon  necessary  in  order  to  overpower  two  lads  like  us. 

Ray  and  I  changed  places  in  a  twinkling,  some  of  the 
throng  giving  vent  to  cries  of  anger  as  if  they  saw  in  such 
a  move  something  savouring  of  foul  play  ;  others  cheered, 
jabbering  in  such  manner  as  caused  me  to  believe  they 
were  insisting  that,  while  the  odds  were  so  strongly 
against  us,  we  should  be  allowed  to  carry  on  the  battle  in 
whatsoever  manner  we  pleased. 

For  a  moment  the  fellow  who  had  pitted  himself  so 
unsuccessfully  against  Ray  stood  hesitating,  breathing 
heavily  as  if  nearly  winded,  and  for  an  instant  I  fancied 
he  was  about  to  retire  from  the  contest,  or,  perhaps,  end 
it  quickly  with  the  long  knife  which  was  held  conveniently 
at  hand  by  one  of  the  bystanders. 


90  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

Then  those  in  the  rear  urged  him  on,  as  I  judged  from 
the  tone  of  the  voices,  and  as  he  advanced,  more  warily 
this  time,  understanding  that  the  lad  before  him  was  fresh 
for  the  fray,  Ray  took  up  the  cry  which  I  had  been  repeat 
ing  again  and  again,  and  immediately  was  it  answered. 

There  could  be  no  question  now  but  that  Panda  was 
coming  with  all  speed  to  our  relief,  for  his  voice  sounded 
nearer  than  before  ;  but  I  had  no  opportunity  to  speculate 
upon  the  matter,  because  the  Filipino  rushed  toward  me 
savagely. 

At  boxing  Ray  is  my  superior,  although  younger,  but 
I  knew  enough  regarding  self-defence  to  hold  my  own 
against  a  man  who  had  most  likely  never  fought  save  with 
weapons  in  his  hands,  and  I  could  do  little  more. 

The  fellow  counted  on  putting  an  end  to  the  battle 
quickly  by  rushing  in  and  seizing  me,  therefore  was  I 
forced  to  exert  all  my  strength  and  knowledge. 

How  long  we  thus  fought  at  close  quarters  I  know  not ; 
it  seemed  to  me  that  ten  minutes  must  have  elapsed, 
although  probably  not  more  than  one-third  of  that  time 
was  spent  in  warding  off  his  savage  rushes,  and  then,  to 
my  intense  relief,  Panda,  with  a  following  of  not  less  than 
twenty,  forced  his  way  through  the  throng,  making  such  a 
diversion  as  caused  the  brute  who  counted  on  taking  our 
lives  to  fall  back  momentarily. 

There  was  no  longer  any  idea  in  my  mind  that  Panda 
was  insolent,  or  disposed  to  take  advantage  of  our  help 
lessness,  for  never  before  had  I  seen  a  face  so  friendly  — 
certainly  never  one  that  was  more  welcome. 


THE   PETREL.  91 

Ray  and  I  received  no  immediate  benefit  from  the  com 
ing  of  this  relief  party,  however,  for  during  five  minutes  it 
appeared  as  if  we  were  in  even  greater  danger  than  while 
alone. 

Those  who  had  surrounded  us  were  not  inclined  to  give 
way,  evidently  holding  to  it  that  our  lives  belonged  to 
them,  and  weapons  were  flourished  in  such  reckless  fashion 
that  it  seemed  as  if  blood  would  be  spilled  unwittingly, 
because  the  people  were  pressed  so  closely  together. 

It  was  Panda's  brother  who  acted  as  spokesman,  and 
Ray  and  I  fancied  he  was  telling  these  fiendish  Filipinos 
from  the  interior  that  we  were  Americans,  and,  conse 
quently,  friends  ;  but  his  appeals,  if  indeed  such  they  were, 
failed  of  success. 

First  one  party  would  surge  toward  us,  and  then  the 
other,  until  finally,  through  skilful  manoeuvring,  we  were 
surrounded  by  Panda's  following,  and  then  our  would-be 
protectors  grew  more  bold,  massing  themselves  in  a  circle, 
and  by  their  gestures  inviting  an  attack. 

"  Can't  you  make  them  understand  who  we  are  ? "  I 
asked  of  Panda,  as  he  turned  his  head  for  an  instant  to 
look  at  us. 

"  My  brother  has  told  them  again  and  again  ;  but  these 
people  are  not  Manilamen.  They  are  half  Malay,  half 
Chinamen,  and  see  in  every  white  face  an  enemy." 

"  Haven't  the  Americans  landed  yet  ? " 

"  No  ;  they  still  remain  on  board  their  vessel,  and  the 
city  is  being  looted  by  the  patriots.  Cavite  will  be 
destroyed  unless  your  people  come  on  shore  soon." 


92  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

There  was  no  time  for  further  conversation.  Panda's 
brother  had  given  the  word  to  advance,  and  these  brave 
fellows,  who  were  ready  to  protect  us  at  the  cost  of  their 
lives,  advanced  step  by  step,  still  presenting  to  the 
enemy  a  complete  circle  of  steel,  with  Ray  and  myself 
in  the  centre. 

We  moved  forward  no  more  than  twelve  inches 
every  minute;  but  yet  it  was  progress,  and  once  the 
Malays  were  giving  way  it  might  be  possible  that  we 
could  continue  on  until  a  place  of  safety  was  gained. 

But  where  should  we  find  such  a  place  until  after  our 
troops  had  landed  ? 

I  hoped  we  were  moving  toward  the  water's  edge,  oppo 
site  where  the  Petrel  lay ;  yet  I  knew  she  was  so  far 
toward  the  arsenal  that  a  journey  of  such  length,  at  the 
snail's  pace  we  were  moving,  would  occupy  many  hours. 

The  street  in  advance  and  behind  us  appeared  literally 
choked  with  human  beings  ;  but  fortunately  not  all  were 
bent  on  our  murder.  Hundreds  upon  hundreds  were 
occupied  with  sacking  the  stores  and  the  dwellings,  and, 
while  giving  no  heed  to  such  a  trifling  matter  as  the 
slaughter  of  two  lads,  they  unwittingly  impeded  our 
progress  by  throwing  household  furniture  and  goods 
into  the  street. 

Before  ten  minutes  had  passed  we  were  halted,  abso 
lutely  unable  to  go  farther  because  the  throng  in  advance 
was  so  dense  it  could  not  be  forced  back,  and  now  it  was 
that  I  saw  an  expression  of  apprehension  upon  the  faces 
of  those  who  guarded  us. 


THE   PETREL.  95 

Panda's  brother  spoke  sharply  and  hurriedly  to  his  men, 
and  Ray  said  to  me  : 

"  We  are  coming  to  the  end  of  this  business  very  soon. 
These  fellows  cannot  hope  to  fight  long  against  so  many, 
and  the  knowledge  that  others  are  getting  much  plunder 
only  serves  to  make  our  enemies  the  more  eager  to  bring 
the  matter  to  a  finish." 

"  We  will  make  a  stand  in  this  house,"  Panda  said, 
turning  his  head  ever  so  slightly  toward  us.  "  Be  ready 
to  rush  in  as  soon  as  we  gain  the  door." 

He  motioned  toward  a  small  stone  building,  on  the 
threshold  of  which  could  be  seen  broken  furniture  and 
articles  of  wearing  apparel,  showing  that  it  had  been 
gutted  by  the  mob,  and  although  not  such  a  place  as  one 
would  select  for  a  fort,  it  looked  wonderfully  inviting  to 
us  at  the  moment. 

Our  people,  meaning  those  who  were  protecting  Ray 
and  me,  massed  themselves  yet  more  closely  together  for 
a  rush,  and  then  at  a  signal  struck  out  in  every  direction. 

I  saw  half  a  dozen  evil-looking  faces  smeared  with 
blood  ;  we  heard  cries  of  rage  which  told  that  the  battle 
would  come  to  a  speedy  end  unless  the  odds  could  be 
made  more  nearly  equal,  and  then  came  the  rush,  during 
which  Ray  and  I  were  literally  shoved  into  the  dwelling. 

For  the  moment  we  were  safe  again,  —  safe  if  we  could 
hold  our  position  here  until  the  Americans  took  possession 
of  the  city,  which  I  doubted  not  they  would  before  many 
hours  elapsed. 

In  a  twinkling  the  doors  were  closed,  shutters  fastened, 


96  WHEN  DEWEY   CAME    TO   MANILA. 

and  guards  stationed  at  every  point  where  an  attempt  at 
forcing  an  entrance  might  be  made. 

Now  we  had  a  breathing  spell,  and  it  was  needed,  for 
Panda's  followers  had  been  indulging  in  most  severe 
exercise. 

The  Filipino  lad  took  no  heed  to  his  own  comfort  until 
after  making  certain  we  were  uninjured,  and  even  then 
seemed  to  consider  it  necessary  to  assure  us  again  and 
again  that  he  was  sorely  grieved  because  we  had  been  so 
badly  treated. 

"  Why  did  you  leave  us  ? "  Ray  asked,  speaking  more 
sharply  than  I  believed  to  be  necessary. 

"  To  see  the  American  vessels.  We,  all  of  us  Manila- 
men,  believed  the  soldiers  would  come  on  shore  at  once, 
and  it  was  not  in  our  minds  that  these  miserable  half- 
breeds  would  attempt  to  destroy  the  city.  Wait  till 
General  Aguinaldo  comes,  and  you  shall  see  them 
flogged." 

"  He,  like  our  own  people,  seems  to  be  a  long  while  in 
making  his  appearance.  Cavite  is  likely  to  be  laid  in  ashes 
before  the  Americans  take  possession." 

"  It  may  be  that  the  commander  of  the  vessel  has  sent 
to  the  fleet  for  orders,"  Panda  suggested  ;  but  this  did  not 
seem  to  me  probable,  for,  on  knowing  that  the  natives  were 
sacking  the  city,  he  would  first  set  ashore  troops  to  pro 
tect  it,  and  afterward  learn  what  his  superior  officer 
thought  about  the  matter. 

"How  far  from  here  is  the  American  ship?"  Ray 
asked. 


THE   PETREL.  97 

"  More  than  four  miles." 

I  was  astounded  by  this  information,  for  Ray  and  I  had 
believed  her  to  be  close  at  hand.  It  no  longer  seemed 
strange  that  a  delay  was  made  in  the  landing ;  those  on 
board  could  not  know  how  desperate  was  the  situation 
on  shore. 

Ray  looked  at  his  watch,  believing  it  to  be  nearly  night 
fall,  and  again  we  were  surprised.  It  lacked  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  of  being  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon. 

Only  five  hours  since  we  began  to  approach  the  city ! 
It  was  to  me  as  if  a  full  day  had  passed  from  the  moment 
when  the  first  victim  of  this  mad,  purposeless  rush  was 
killed. 

I  looked  around  the  apartment  in  which  we  two  lads  had 
taken  refuge,  leaving  to  the  Filipinos  the  outer  rooms 
where  they  might  keep  watch  over  the  mob,  and  here 
could  be  seen  evidences  of  that  blind,  unreasonable  spirit 
of  destruction. 

The  furniture  had  been  hacked  and  hewed  with  swords 
until  not  one  article  remained  whole  ;  rugs  were  slit  into 
ribbons,  and  even  the  hard  wooden  floor  was  dented  and 
scratched  in  such  manner  as  told  that  one  insane  with  pas 
sion  had  spent  both  time  and  labour  upon  a  task  which 
could  have  no  results.  It  was  a  scene  of  wanton  destruc 
tion  such  as  I  do  not  believe  could  have  been  found  any 
where  outside  these  islands,  and  well  calculated  to  alarm 
those  in  a  position  similar  to  that  which  we  were  in,  for 
it  showed  that  murder  would  be  done  simply  for  the  sake 
of  killing. 


98  WHEN  DEWEY   CAMP:    TO   MANILA. 

Outside  the  mob  yelled  and  raved,  frenzied  because  we 
two  lads  had  for  the  moment  escaped  them,  and  at  fre 
quent  intervals  showers  of  missiles  were  sent  against  the 
doors  and  windows,  telling  that  those  who  thirsted  for 
blood  were  on  the  alert. 

"Can  Panda's  friends  hold  this  place?"  Ray  asked, 
with  a  certain  tremor  in  his  voice  which  told  that  even 
his  courage  was  giving  way  under  the  strain. 

The  same  question  had  been  in  my  mind  from  the  first 
moment  we  sought  refuge  here,  and  now  as  the  lad  spoke 
I  remembered  having  seen,  before  the  old  man  was  put  to 
death,  certain  men  tear  out  blocks  of  stone  from  such 
buildings  as  showed  signs  of  decay.  This  was  clone 
simply  in  the  spirit  of  destruction  ;  but  it  was  to  me  good 
proof  of  what  might  be  accomplished  in  case  the  howling 
Malays  persisted  in  their  desire  to  kill  us. 

"  It  cannot  be  long  now  before  troops  are  put  ashore 
from  our  vessel,"  I  replied,  giving  words  to  the  hope  in 
my  mind.  "  Surely  we  can  hold  out  here  until  nightfall, 
and  —  " 

I  stopped  speaking  very  suddenly,  for  at  that  instant 
there  came  a  shock,  as  if  the  building  had  been  struck  by 
some  heavy  object,  and  Panda  ran  into  the  room,  his 
face  of  that  grayish  hue  which  bespeaks  terror  in  one  of 
a  coloured  skin. 

"What  is  it?"  Ray  cried,  seizing  the  Filipino  by  the 
arm,  and  unconsciously  I  echoed  the  words. 

"The  miserable  Malays  are  striving  to  destroy  the 
building.  Two  stones  have  been  removed  by  force,  and 


THE   PETREL. 


99 


this    moment    a    large    portion    of    the    corner    wall    fell 
down." 

He  would  have  said  more,  but  his  brother  summoned 
him,  and  Ray  and  I,  unable  to  remain  where  it  was  im 
possible  to  see  what  might  be  done,  followed  him  into 
that  apartment  overlooking  the  street. 

While  we  had  remained  in   safety  these   Filipinos  had 
been  battling  for  our  lives, 
as    could  be   seen   by   the 
blood  which   flowed    from 
more    than    one 
wound. 

I  wondered 
how  it  might  be 
that  wounds 


i 


were  received 
when  a  wall  of 
stone  separated 
us  from  the  en 
emy,  and  would  have  approached  one  of  the  windows 
in  order  to  look  out,  but  Panda's  brother  pulled  me 
back. 

Surely  he  saved  me  from  an  ugly  cut,  if  not  from 
death,  for  at  that  instant  a  knife,  lashed  to  a  long 
length  of  bamboo,  was  thrust  through  an  aperture  in 
the  thin  shell  at  the  very  point  where  I  proposed  to  look 
out. 

The  trampling  as  of  many  feet  on  the  floor  above,  and 
a  cry  of  mingled  anger  and  pain,  caused  me  to  look  up  at 


100  WHEAr  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

the  ceiling  as  if  expecting  the  enemy  might  appear  from 
that  quarter. 

"  Our  friends  are  up  there  trying  to  make  payment  for 
some  of  the  wounds  we  have  received,"  Panda  said,  and, 
seizing  me  by  the  arm  as  I  turned  to  ascend  the  stairs,  he 
added,  "  It  is  not  for  you  to  join  them  ;  the  windows  are 
open,  and  the  Malays  must  not  see  you  for  whom  they 
are  seeking." 

"  We  may  as  well  show  ourselves  as  stay  here  until 
the  house  is  torn  down,"  Ray  cried.  "  It  is  better  to 
do  something:  in  our  own  defence  than  cower  here  in 

O 

idleness." 

Another  shock,  and  at  one  corner  of  the  room  appeared 
an  aperture  in  the  outer  wall  through  which  a  man 
might  have  crawled. 

If  the  enemy  were  allowed  to  work  unmolested  we  must 
soon  be  forced  to  flee  to  the  chamber  above,  where  death 
would  speedily  follow. 

Then  came  a  great  crash  ;  cries  of  pain  ;  a  noise  as  of 
scampering  from  the  throng  outside,  and  Panda  cried,  his 
eyes  all  aflame  with  excitement  : 

"They  have  thrown  out  the  bed-posts,  and  some  of  the 
villains  have  been  caught  napping  !  " 

It  seemed  impossible  for  me  to  remain  there  in  igno 
rance  of  what  was  being  done,  and,  shaking  off  the  light 
grasp  which  Panda  had  of  my  arm,  I  ran  up-stairs,  Ray 
following  close  at  my  heels. 

Now  indeed  could  we  see  evidences  of  battle  ;  two  of 
the  Filipinos  lay  in  one  corner  of  the  room  disabled  ;  at 


THE   PETREL.  IOI 

least  five  others  were  covered  with  blood,  and  the  floor 
was  strewn  with  stones,  fragments  of  furniture,  and  even 
knives,  which  had  been  flung  in  by  the  mob. 

We  had  come  at  that  moment  when  a  slight  advantage 
had  been  gained,  and,  therefore,  could  approach  the  open 
window  with  some  degree  of  safety. 

So  far  as  could  be  seen  in  either  direction,  the  streets 
were  literally  packed  with  howling,  yelling  natives.  The 
work  of  sacking  the  city  had  been  abandoned  for  the 
moment  in  order  that  the  villains  might  enjoy  the  sport 
of  unearthing  two  lads  whom  they  probably  believed  to  be 
Spaniards. 

Little  chance  for  life  would  Ray  and  I  have  now  if  we 
were  in  their  midst. 

It  was  terrible  to  look  upon  those  brown-skinned  men, 
knowing  that  every  one  was  eager  to  have  a  hand  in  the 
spilling  of  our  blood. 

Panda  had  followed  us,  and  now  he  pulled  me  back 
when  I  would  have  lingered  at  the  window. 

The  attack  was  about  to  be  resumed  ;  the  Malays  were 
drawing  near  the  building  once  more,  and  our  Manila- 
men  looked  about  for  something  more  which  would  serve 
as  weapons. 

The  huge  bedstead,  such  as  is  to  be  found  in  nearly 
every  house  in  Luzon,  had  been  thrown  out  piecemeal, 
and  we  had  good  reason  to  believe  it  was  not  destroyed 
in  vain. 

The  room  was  bare  of  furniture ;  but  there  were  many 
rocks  on  the  floor. 


102  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

These  last  our  men  gathered  up,  each  getting  one  or 
more,  and,  standing  near  the  side  of  the  window  in  such 
manner  as  to  shield  their  own  bodies,  they  fired  with 
wonderful  accuracy  of  aim  upon  those  below. 

I  saw  one  of  our  defenders  knock  down  three  Malays 
with  as  many  stones,  each  of  which  could  not  have 
weighed  less  than  ten  pounds,  and  yet  the  mob  was 
not  checked. 

What  was  the  disabling  of  three  men,  when  a  thousand 
were  pressing  forward  to  the  attack  ? 

"  However  bravely  these  Manilamen  may  fight,  there 
can  be  but  one  ending  to  such  a  battle,"  Ray  said, 
despondently.  "In  less  than  an  hour  the  building  will 
be  in  possession  of  those  fiends,  and  we  shall  have  left 
this  world  !  " 

Now  it  was  my  turn  to  cheer  him,  even  as  he  had 
cheered  me  when  my  courage  failed. 

Flinging  my  arm  around  his  neck,  I  forced  him  to  the 
floor  below,  saying,  as  we  descended  the  stairs  : 

"  The  American  troops  will  have  landed  before  those 
fellows  can  tear  this  house  down.  It  must  soon  be  known 
to  the  commander  of  the  Petrel  that  the  city  is  in  the 
hands  of  a  mob,  and  he  will  take  speedy  steps  to  save  it." 

"  Perhaps  he  has  no  troops,  but  must  send  back  to 
Manila  for  men,"  Ray  replied,  despondently,  and  at  this 
suggestion,  which  seemed  most  reasonable,  I  very  nearly 
lost  heart  again  —  should  have  done  so,  in  fact,  but  for 
the  necessity  of  cheering  my  brother. 

There  was  nothing  in  the  room  on  the  ground-floor  to 


THE   PETREL. 


I05 


revive  our  spirits.  The  corner  of  the  building  had  been 
torn  away  yet  further,  until  now  it  was  possible  to  look 
into  the  street  through  the  aperture,  and  I  could  see 
more  than  one  of  the  Malays  stooping  low  in  order  to 
fling  a  knife  after  the  fashion  of  a  spear. 

There  was  an  expression  of  fear  on  the  face  of  Panda's 
brother,  and  I  knew  he  had  begun  to  despair  of  holding 
the  enemy  in  check  much  longer. 

The  Manilamen  no  longer  sought  an  opportunity  to 
strike  effective  blows,  but  crouched  against  the  wall, 
beyond  range  of  the  opening. 

They  had  lost  heart,  and  were  nerving  themselves  for 
the  death  which  would  come  to  them  because  of  having 
dared  shield  two  white  lads  from  harm. 

It  seemed,  indeed,  as  if  the  supreme  moment  had 
arrived,  and  I  threw  my  arms  around  Ray's  neck  once 
more,  hugging  him  close  in  what  I  believed  to  be  a 
last  embrace,  when  suddenly  the  cries  of  anger  from 
without  were  changed  to  shouts  of  fear  and  surprise. 

There  was  no  longer  any  attempt  to  pull  away  the 
wall  ;  no  more  rocks  were  thrown  in  through  the  open 
windows  above.  Instead,  the  throng  took  to  their  heels, 
and  before  one  could  have  counted  fifty  the  streets  were 
cleared  as  if  by  magic. 

"  They  have  found  a  victim  that  can  be  come  at  with 
less  labour,"  I  said,  despondently,  and  then  I  pricked  up 
my  ears  as  a  great  hope,  a  great  joy  and  relief  came  into 
my  heart,  causing  the  blood  to  bound  through  every  vein. 

From  the  distance,  and  yet  not  so  far  away  but  that  we 


106  WHEN  DEWEY  CAME    TO   MANILA. 

could  distinguish  the  tramp,  tramp  of  many  feet,  came 
the  beat  of  a  drum,  the  shrill  notes  of  a  fife,  and  this  is 
the  "tune  we  two  lads,  who  had  believed  ourselves  face  to 
face  with  death,  heard  in  the  city  of  Cavite,  as  we  stood 
within  the  half-ruined  house  gripping  each  other's  hands  : 

'•  Yankee  Doodle  came  to  town 

Riding  on  a  pony  ; 
He  stuck  a  feauier  in  his  hat 
And  called  it  macaroni !  " 

Never  before  had  I  thought  there  was  anything  very 
beautiful  in  that  song ;  but  now  it  seemed  the  sweetest  I 
ever  heard,  and  since  then  it  amuses  me  as  can  no  other 
combination  of  notes. 

Singing  at  the  full  strength  of  our  lungs,  what  was  at 
the  same  time  a  song  of  triumph  and  of  thanksgiving, 
Ray  and  I  flung  open  the  door,  for  the  Filipinos  had 
begun  to  unbar  it  instantly  the  shrill  notes  of  the  fife 
were  heard,  marching  into  the  street,  with  the  Manilamen 
at  our  heels,  to  meet  our  countrymen. 

I  wish  it  might  be  possible  for  me  to  set  down  all  that 
followed  after  we  made  ourselves  known  ;  but  it  cannot  be 
done,  and  for  the  good  reason  that  neither  Ray  nor  I 
have  any  very  clear  idea  of  anything  until  we  found 
ourselves  on  the  deck  of  the  Petrel,  explaining  to  Com 
mander  Lamberton  how  we  two  Yankee  lads  chanced  to 
be  in  Cavite. 

Within  forty-eight  hours  we  were  with  our  parents 
again,  and  there  is  no  need  for  me  to  set  forth  at  any 
very  great  length  our  joy  at  meeting  them  once  more. 


THE   PETREL.  1O/ 

As  is  well  known,  Manila  did  not  surrender  for  some 
time  after  the  city  of  Cavite  was  taken  possession  of  by 
our  forces,  and  if  it  should  chance  that  this  poor  story  of 
mine  is  ever  printed,  I  shall  request  permission  to  try  my 
hand  at  story-writing  again,  in  order  to  set  down  the  part 
Ray  and  I  played  in  the  capitulation  of  the  port,  for  we 
had  no  mean  adventure  in  the  island  of  Luzon  after  the 
rescue  of  Cavite,  as  is  known  already  to  very  many. 

At  present  it  is  sufficient  to  say  that  we  were  present 
when  the  Spanish  forces  finally  capitulated,  and  we  met 
Aguinaldo  face  to  face  many  times  more  than  was  really 
agreeable ;  but  all  this  occurred  after  we  had  our  experi 
ence  among  the  Filipinos,  when  Dewey  came  to  Cavite, 
therefore  it  is  not  anything  which  can  properly  be  set 
down  here. 


THE    END. 


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